Eastbourne Woman Sentenced to Prison for Exploiting Vulnerable Teenager

A 35-year-old Eastbourne woman, Carole Taylor of Seaside Road, has been sentenced to five years in prison for exploiting a vulnerable teenage boy for sexual purposes.

The conviction came after a six-day trial at Chichester Crown Court in December, where Taylor was found guilty of two counts of sexual activity with a child, meeting a child following sexual grooming, and sexual communication with a child.

The sentencing took place at Brighton Crown Court on Friday, January 14th, following an investigation by Sussex Police.

Taylor will be a registered sex offender for life.

Detective Sergeant Michaela Haddock of the East Sussex Safeguarding Investigations Unit praised the victim's bravery: "The boy's extraordinary bravery in providing evidence in this case is admirable and no doubt played a vital part in the jury returning the unanimous verdict that they did. The sentence reflects the seriousness of the irreparable impact that Taylor's behaviour has had on this child, but I hope that it will now allow him to move forward positively with his life."

DS Haddock also emphasized the importance of reporting any suspected abuse: "All reports of the abuse of children are taken extremely seriously and anyone with information about any such offending can contact us at any time and arrange to talk in confidence to our investigators."