Woman 'robbed' boy of childhood in sexual relationship

WOMAN 'ROBBED' BOY OF CHILDHOOD IN SEXUAL RELATIONSHIP

A court has heard allegations that a woman robbed a 15-year-old of his childhood through a sexual relationship started 30 years ago.

Deborah Taylor, then in her 30s, maintained this relationship with the young boy for several years, which continued into his adulthood.

The victim, who came forward three years ago, resulted in Taylor’s arrest on charges of indecent assault.

She pleaded guilty but initially claimed no sexual contact existed until the victim was of legal age.

On August 10, at Bolton Crown Court, prosecutor Nicholas Clarke presented a statement to Judge Martin Walsh, the court’s Honorary Recorder.

The statement included the victim’s words: "I've spent years regretting what she did.

I didn't have a childhood because it was robbed.

"I was a teenager and she knew it was wrong.

I was vulnerable and she took advantage of this." During her defence, solicitor Jon Close described Taylor’s earlier relationship as "controlling" and "coercive," and noted that substance abuse affected her behaviour at the time.

He highlighted that Taylor has since changed, participating in charity work and volunteer activities, and argued that a sentence involving suspension might be appropriate.

To the judge, Mr.

Close stated: "The only explanation she is able to offer is these offences were committed after this relationship came to an end." "She was alone.

She was depressed.

She is not the same person now as she was then." Nonetheless, Judge Walsh decided against a suspended sentence.

Taylor, residing on Thomasson Close, was sentenced to two years’ imprisonment, required to register as a sex offender for ten years, and issued a restraining order.

The judge commented: "Effectively, by the time he was 15, you groomed him into a sexual relationship which lasted at least for that time.

"Unquestionably, he was vulnerable and advantage was taken of him in that time."