December 2012 Woman spared jail over boy affair A woman who had a six-month fling with a teenage boy has been spared jail. Marie Jane Friendship, 38, was given a six-month prison sentence suspended for two years by a judge at Bristol Crown Court. Friendship, who lived with her partner of 18 years, told people she was in love with the teenager. At an earlier hearing, Friendship, of Holford Court, Whitchurch, Bristol, admitted one count of having sexual activity with a child by a person in a position of trust. Prosecutor Kenneth Bell said the offence only came to light because Friendship admitted the affair to others. Robert Duval, defending, said Friendship’s life had been wrecked by her actions and now she could not even get employment as a cleaner as a result. “She has never been in trouble in any way, shape or form in her life before these events,” he told the judge. Judge Julian Lambert suspended a six-month prison sentence for two years, placed her on supervision for two years and told her to complete 300 hours of unpaid work and observe a six-month curfew from 8pm to 6am. Friendship was also placed on the sex offenders register for seven years. August 2012 Woman, 38, faces jail for sex with underage lad A BRISTOL woman is facing jail after admitting to seducing a teenage boy. Marie Friendship, 38, could get up to 14 years behind bars after forcing herself on the lad. She faced eight charges of having sexual activity with a child, pleading guilty to one that was accepted by prosecutors. Friendship was told to register as a sex offender, while the judge adjourned sentencing for reports. She had a sexual relationship with the boy — who cannot be named for legal reasons — between 1 July 2011 and 12 February this year, the court was told. The news comes the day after married teacher Emma Webb was found guilty of giving sexual favours to three boy pupils aged between 15 and 17. Prosecutor Richard Posner said the Crown would consider applying for a Sexual Offences Prevention Order to stop Friendship contacting her victim in the future. Robert Duval, defending, said: “This is a serious offence and I accept that is the case. “We would like to have a pre-sentence report. This is a lady of previous good character.” Friendship, from Whitchurch, Bristol, was bailed by the city’s crown court ahead of her sentencing on 21 September. The Recorder of Bristol Judge Neil Ford QC told her: “The fact I am adjourning the case for a pre-sentence report is no indication of the sentence imposed on you in due course. “The fact you have been given bail is no indication of the sentence.” Friendship, who cites Harry Potter and David Beckham as “likes” on her Facebook page, is listed as being in a relationship on the social networking site.