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A woman who had sexual activity with a child weeks after being sentenced for indecently assaulting the same girl has walked free again.

Gemma Stanbridge was spared prison in December but was put on the sex offenders’ register for abusing the 15-year-old.

But she then went on to exchange texts with the girl and ended up meeting her in a field, where cuddling and kissing ended in sexual activity.

A court heard the youngster, who was close to turning 16, felt bad when she found out Stanbridge was in trouble with the police.

Now the 25-year-old has been given a suspended prison sentence after she admitted sexual activity with a child.

Recorder Ben Nolan QC, at Newcastle Crown Court, said: “She received a community order in December last year for an offence of sexual assault on a child.

“She has, within a matter of weeks of the sentence, committed a further offence of sexual activity with a child, the same child.

“At the time the child was within two weeks of her 16th birthday.”

The judge said a psychologist’s report into Stanbridge’s background, problems and learning difficulties meant the prison sentence could be suspended.

But he warned her: “Should you commit any further offence, you are at risk of having to serve this sentence in addition to any other sentence imposed upon you.”

The victim told police she had seen Stanbridge a “couple of times to say hello” after she was in court in December and this led to them exchanging text messages and arranging the meeting at the field.

Stanbridge, of Rydal Avenue, Easington Lane, Houghton-le-Spring, pleaded guilty to sexual activity with a child.

She was given eight months imprisonment, suspended for two years, with rehabilitation requirements.

Stanbridge must now register as a sex offender for the next 10 years.