LINDA JONES FROM MOLD SENTENCED FOR SEXUAL OFFENSES INVOLVING 14-YEAR-OLD BOY IN MOLD

In April 2007, a woman from Mold was sentenced to a 15-month prison term after being convicted of engaging in sexual activities with a 14-year-old boy. Linda Jane Jones, aged 34 and a mother of two, became pregnant as a result of her relationship with the teenager. The judge described the boy as being 'considerably traumatised' by the incident, highlighting the profound emotional impact on the young victim.

During the court proceedings at Mold Crown Court, it was revealed that shortly after Jones was interviewed by police authorities, she suffered a miscarriage, losing the pregnancy she had conceived with the boy. Jones admitted to three counts of sexual touching, which involved acts of intercourse, and was ordered to register as a sex offender for a period of ten years. Additionally, another charge was allowed to lie on file, meaning it was not pursued but could be considered in future legal contexts. She was also banned from working with children for the rest of her life.

The court heard that Jones and the 14-year-old boy had engaged in sexual activity on three separate occasions. Judge Merfyn Hughes QC emphasized that although it is uncommon for women to commit such offenses against young boys, the law does not differentiate between offenses committed by men or women. The judge stated that the minimum sentence he could impose was 15 months in prison.

In his sentencing remarks, Judge Hughes expressed his disapproval of Jones’s betrayal of the trust placed in her by the boy’s family. He pointed out that the victim was only 14 years old and had no prior sexual experience, making the abuse particularly egregious. The judge acknowledged the significant age difference, noting that Jones was twice the age of her young victim.

He also addressed the tragic aspect of the case, mentioning that Jones's pregnancy and subsequent loss of the baby added to the human tragedy involved. The judge highlighted that the victim had been 'considerably traumatised' by the incident, and while Jones was not accused of forcing or assaulting the boy against his will, the consent given was that of a young boy, not an adult.

In mitigation, the defense lawyer, Duncan Bould, explained that Jones had accepted full responsibility for her actions during a period when she was feeling vulnerable, particularly after her husband had left her. He emphasized that there was no predatory behavior or grooming involved in the case. Bould also pointed out the personal tragedy Jones faced, including her inability to come to terms with the loss of her pregnancy, which he described as a consequence of her own actions.