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A mum who claimed she had sexual relations with her 15-year-old son because he seduced her has avoided jail.

The 50-year-old woman, who cannot be named, was told by a judge she had "clearly breached her obligation as a mother" as she was handed the suspended sentence.

Gloucester Crown Court heard how the woman went along with the teenager's demands out of motherly love as she pleaded guilty to three charges of sexual activity with the boy.

Her sentencing hearing was told the sordid details of the crime, in which she spanked the boy with a paddle and dressed up in knickers, bra and boots as he wanted.

"He would wear a t-shirt, nothing else," prosecutor Stephen Dent said. "This happened more than once, but less than six times."

The boy later told police he 'got pleasure from those activities'.

Simon Burch, representing the woman, said her child has 'instigated' the sexual offending.

"She had no enthusiasm for the conduct and was ashamed and contrite," he added.

"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."

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.

"This was a mother struggling to bring up her son in an appropriate way and control him," he added.

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.

Imposing a sixteen month jail term suspended for two years, Judge Ian Lawrie QC told the woman: "You've pleaded guilty to three offences of sexual activity with a child family member, that is your son.

"You spanked the naked buttocks of your son with a paddle.

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

"He was vulnerable. 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," the judge told the woman.

"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 offenders' register for ten years, and required her to attend 40 rehabilitation sessions.