September 2008 Woman, 35, jailed after sex with boy, 15 A MOTHER of three sobbed uncontrollably in the dock and then collapsed when she was jailed for having sex with a 15-year-old boy. Grace Allen (35), a family support worker, whose address was given as Hazel Close, Grimston, appeared at Norwich Crown Court on Friday to admit three offences of sexual activity with the youth when he was 15. She was sent to prison for 15 months, put on the sex offenders’ register for ten years and banned from ever working with children. During the hearing the court was told that the teenager was a willing party and that Allen was flattered that he found her attractive. Lori Tucker, prosecuting, said that the offences came to light when the boy’s father picked up his son’s mobile phone and found sexually explicit text messages and nude photographs. She said that there had been an ongoing relationship between Allen and the youth and although Allen initially apologised and agreed to back off the pair continued to see each other. Although the youth said at first that they had just been talking, kissing and cuddling and denied sex had taken place, he later admitted to his mother that it had been a full sexual relationship. When Allen was arrested she admitted a number of liaisons with the boy and said she was flattered he found her attractve. Mrs Tucker told the court that the defendant was of previous good character and that the boy was a willing party. “His parents have been terribly upset,” she said. Neil Guest, representing Allen, said that his client was an excellent mother who was wracked with remorse. He said she had attempted suicide and had lost her reputation and self respect. But this was not a case of a boy trying to get some illicit thrill and the relationship may well continue, he said. He added that the boy, who was also in court and weeping during the hearing, would be 16 in two weeks time. Judge Peter Jacobs told the defendant: “You were told to back off but you did not do so.” He pointed out that relationship between the boy and his parents had broken down and that Allens’ relationship had also broken down. “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. “I take into account everything that has been said about you, your frankness and the fact you have a family of your own and that a sentence of imprisonment will be devastating but the message has to go out that for offences of this kind there will be imprisonment,” he said. The court was closed when the defendant collapsed.