A mother who claims she was seduced by her 15-year-old son has avoided jail for having sexual relations with him.

The 50-year-old woman, who cannot be named for legal reasons, was told by a judge at Gloucester Crown Court that she had 'clearly breached her obligation as a mother.'

She pleaded guilty to three charges of sexual activity with her son but maintained that the boy initiated sexual activity and she just went along with what he wanted out of motherly love.

Prosecutor Stephen Dent said the woman spanked the boy with a paddle at his request and she dressed up in knickers, bra and boots as he wanted.

The 50-year-old woman, who cannot be named, was told by a judge at Gloucester Crown Court that she had 'clearly breached her obligation as a mother'

He said: 'He would wear a t-shirt, nothing else. This happened more than once, but less than six times,'

Simon Burch, representing the woman, said: 'He instigated and established the sexual offending.

'She had no enthusiasm for the conduct and was ashamed and contrite.'

Judge Ian Lawrie QC said: 'It does not absolve your client's responsibilities.

'She ignored the appropriate boundaries between mother and son.'

Mr Burch continued: 'Yes. Yes, she did.

'But she is vulnerable for a number of reasons. She is easily manipulated.

'In her previous, abusive, relationship, she was subject to physical violence and made to engage in sexual acts she did not want to.'

Referring to 'plaguing persevering messages' from her son, Mr Burch said: 'Not once had any of the ideas come from her. Not once did she encourage him.'

The judge said he accepted that.

The judge at Gloucester Crown Court (pictured) imposed a 16 month jail term suspended for two years with a requirement to attend forty rehabilitation activity sessions

Mr Burch added that the woman had 'not one iota of enthusiasm,' for the sexual relationship with her son.

There was merely 'reluctant acquiescence,' on her part, he said.

He added: 'This was a mother struggling to bring up her son in an appropriate way and control him.'

She was someone who was 'bedevilled and plagued' by the boy's demands and she capitulated, he said.

'She should not be regarded as predatory,' Mr Burch argued.

Judge Lawrie said. 'I do not,'

'I regard her as weak and foolhardy.

'This is a case where she did not respect the boundary. She could have done but she did not.

'It is an unhappy combination of offences. She clearly breached her obligation as a mother.'

The judge said he viewed the chance of further offences as 'highly unlikely'.

'I think this is very much a creature of the moment and the time between the pair of them,' he said.

'I am cognisant of the unusual circumstances. Frankly, it was quite extraordinary combination of factors.'

Imposing a 16 month jail term suspended for two years with a requirement to attend forty rehabilitation activity sessions he told the woman: 'You've pleaded guilty to three offences of sexual activity with a child family member, that is your son.

'Whatever the prompt or dynamic, it is ultimately that you had a responsibility to your son.

'He was vulnerable,' the judge said.

'At age of 16 he was difficult. Threatening in his behaviour.

'There was persistence by him, and on one view pressure from him, to indulge in those sexual acts.

'That does not excuse, and can never excuse, that you failed as a mother to observe as a mother the appropriate boundaries.

'There is a greater need for you to exercise discipline and restraint. Not to acquiesce.'

'You have breached the obligation of a mother. Not just on one occasion, but a variety of occasions.

'But there is no prior sexual deviancy and a significant level of remorse.'

The court heard the woman had no previous convictions or cautions recorded against her.

The judge added 'Your appearance here will be hugely humiliating and embarrassing for you.

'On one level so be it, on another it is a harm that should be acknowledged.'

Alongside the suspended jail term, the judge ordered the woman to sign the sex offender register for ten years.