MARIE DENT SENTENCED IN CLACTON-ON-SEA FOR SEXUAL OFFENSES INVOLVING A TEENAGE BOY

In August 2017, 44-year-old Marie Dent was sentenced to three years in prison, ordered to sign the sex offenders' register for life, and placed under a sexual harm prevention order.

Dent, from Clacton-on-Sea, Essex, admitted to grooming a 15-year-old boy by creating a fake Facebook profile using a false name and a child's photo, effectively reducing her age by nearly 30 years. She engaged in online communication with the teenager, claiming she was also 15.

Prosecutor Jane Oldfield told Chelmsford Crown Court: "She entered into communication with the young man, a 15-year-old boy, and throughout she maintained she was 15. They met up on two occasions and by that time the communications had become intimate. By the time they met, they had been talking of love."

Dent met the boy twice in November and December of the previous year. During their first meeting, she kissed and cuddled him. On their second meeting, she visited his house, still pretending to be 15, and engaged in sexual activity in his bedroom. The boy stated he was not coerced and was a willing participant, though he did not initiate the activities.

The court was told that Dent created the fake Facebook account initially to support a family member who believed their partner was unfaithful. Prosecutor Ashley Petchey explained: "The account lay dormant for several months but then contact began to be made with a number of people including the victim in this case. There was messaging between the two. The defendant had lied about her age."

Dent's mother reported her after finding her with the victim at his home. During the hearing, Dent, dressed in a white blouse and black trousers, only responded to confirm her name and pleaded guilty.

Patricia Lynch QC remarked, "It matters not who initiated the activity. She was the adult, he was the child."

Sentencing was postponed until September 26 to allow for a psychological assessment.