Rotherham Woman Jailed for Sexual Activity with Schoolboy

Laura Stephenson, 28, has been sentenced to 21 months in prison for engaging in sexual activity with a 15-year-old boy on two separate occasions.

The court heard that Stephenson, from Rotherham, exchanged flirtatious messages with the boy before the incidents occurred at her home while her boyfriend was away in 2018. The boy reportedly suffered mental health issues as a result of the encounters.

Stephenson pleaded guilty to two counts of sexual activity with a child. During the investigation, she admitted to the sexual encounters but claimed they were consensual. However, she also attempted to shift blame onto the victim, according to South Yorkshire Police.

Investigating officer Natalie Duffy stated that "Stephenson claimed she knew her actions were wrong due to the boy's age, but this wasn't enough to stop her. Instead, she presented a number of excuses for her perverse actions."

Duffy praised the victim for his courage throughout the investigation and court proceedings. "I would like to praise the victim for the tremendous courage he has shown throughout the investigation and court proceedings," she said.

In addition to her prison sentence, Stephenson was placed on the sex offenders register for 10 years and given a 10-year sexual harm prevention order. She was also ordered to pay victim costs of £140.