Woman jailed for sex with boy, 15

A family support worker has been jailed for having sex with a 15-year-old boy.

Grace Allen, 35, of Hazel Close in King's Lynn, Norfolk, admitted three counts of sexual activity with a child.

The affair came to light when the boy's father found explicit text messages and nude photographs on his son's mobile phone, Norwich Crown Court heard.

The woman was jailed for 15 months, placed on the sex offenders' register for 10 years and banned from working with children for life.

Lori Tucker, prosecuting, told the court how there had been an on/off relationship between Allen and the teenager.

If this was a 35-year-old man and a 15-year-old girl no one would raise an eyebrow if he was sent to prison Judge Peter Jacobs

The boy's father had told Allen to leave his son alone.

"Allen had been told the relationship was inappropriate," Mrs Tucker said.

"She apologised and agreed to back-off but despite that they continued to see each other."

When Allen was arrested she told police that she was flattered that the boy found her attractive.

The court heard there was no victim impact statement as he had been a willing party.

"His parents have been very upset," Mrs Tucker added.

Neil Guest, mitigating, said his client had attempted suicide and had lost her reputation and self-respect.

"She is remorseful," he said.

Passing sentence Judge Peter Jacobs told her: "If this was a 35-year-old man and a 15-year-old girl no one would raise an eyebrow if he was sent to prison."