May 2007 Woman jailed for abusing children A 38-year-old woman from Lancashire has been jailed for more than 10 years for sexually abusing two children. Deborah Mugridge, from Cleveleys, pleaded guilty to nine counts of indecency with a child and two other serious sexual offences. Preston Crown Court heard that while on bail Mugridge flew toGran Canaria on a one way ticket in 2000 but was arrested by Spanish authorities last year. Mugridge, of no fixed address, was put on the sex offenders register for life. Judge Pamela Badley who sentenced her to a total of 10 years and eight months in prison, said Mugridge had abused the boy and girl for her own sexual gratification and could give no reason why she had committed the offences. ‘Thoroughly ashamed’ The court heard the children told police she had made them engage in various types of sexual activity and that the girl had told them she had been threatened she would be killed if she told anyone. Nick Courtney, defending, said the guilty pleas had saved the children from having to give evidence at court. He told the court that a crack user had got her involved with the drug and she had also been using alcohol around that time. He added that she was thoroughly ashamed of what she had done. In a victim impact statement, the boy told police the defendant deserved what she got.