A manipulative sex offender who groomed a young boy has been sentenced to four years in prison.

Caitlin Hutchinson, 21, from Roker Avenue in Sunderland, groomed the boy over several months, sending him sexually explicit messages and coercing him into performing sexual acts. The abuse came to light when the boy bravely confided in his parents, leading to Hutchinson's arrest.

Initially, Hutchinson denied the charges, claiming the boy had initiated the contact. However, evidence proved otherwise, and she was convicted of six counts including engaging in sexual activity with a child, engaging in sexual activity in the presence of a child, engaging in sexual communication with a child, and causing or inciting a child to engage in sexual activity.

In a powerful victim impact statement, the boy described the lasting trauma he has endured. He detailed his feelings of shame, anxiety, depression, and fear, stating that he struggles to sleep and feels unsafe around women. He expressed a deep longing for a normal life, but fears that the abuse has irreparably damaged him.

Hutchinson appeared at Durham Crown Court on February 27th where she was sentenced to four years in prison. She was also placed on the sex offender register indefinitely and issued a Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO) prohibiting contact with children under 16 and restricting her use of social media.