Avoided jail: Julie Conroy, 48, pictured outside Teesside Crown Court, took her young son to Spain

A mother who took her young son away on a one-way ticket to a new life in Spain against his father’s wishes has avoided jail.

Julie Conroy, 48, of Middlesbrough, flew with her son to Benidorm, despite a warning letter from solicitors after his father learned of her plans.

She claimed she was only going for a two-week holiday to the resort - but the father then found out that she did not want to return, her flat had been repossessed and her car had been sold.

Conroy spent four months in Spain before the boy was finally returned to Britain after he texted his father for help and a court order was obtained, Teesside Crown Court was told.

Conroy was arrested when she arrived back in Britain and pleaded guilty to taking the child out of the UK without appropriate consent. She received a suspended four-month jail sentence.

Jonathan Walker, prosecuting, said yesterday that boy’s mother and father separated in May 2014, but both had parental responsibility.

Arrangements were amicable, but that summer the relationship broke down around the time Conroy started seeing another man who had links to Teesside, but spent lots of time in Spain.

‘The father received communications that she wanted to move to Spain,’ said Mr Walker. His solicitors warned her against this and urged her to participate in family proceedings.

Mr Walker added: ‘That warning having been issued, the defendant set to reassure the child’s father that she had no intentions of moving to Spain.

'In the September, the child’s father agreed to a two-week holiday for the child and this defendant to be taken in Benidorm. The mother, child, and new partner travelled to Spain on September 13, with one-way tickets booked through Thomson.

Fleeing Teesside: Conroy left her in Middlesbrough (above) and flew with her son to Benidorm, despite a warning letter from solicitors after his father learned of her plans

‘Within days Mr Conroy was informed through social media that the defendant had no intention of returning. He made attempts to contact the defendant, but there was no response.

‘He was informed the defendant’s flat had been repossessed, and her car and a number of household items had been sold.

‘The father was contacted by the child by text message. He expressed a desire to return and made a request for help.’

After managing to gain a court order abroad, the boy’s father returned to the UK with his son in January 2015. Conroy later returned to the UK the next month, and was arrested.

Benidorm: Conroy spent four months in Spain before the boy was finally returned to Britain after he texted his father for help and a court order was obtained

Kelleigh Lodge, defending, said: ‘She is 48, she did plead guilty at the first opportunity. She accepts she received a letter saying she didn’t have the father’s permission.

She’s built a new life in Spain Kelleigh Lodge, defending

‘Her plans are to return to Spain, she has employment and she’s built a new life in Spain.’

Judge Howard Crowson gave Conroy a four-month jail sentence suspended for 12 months and ordered her to pay £500 costs.