A WOMAN who had a sexual relationship with a 16-year-old boy she met in a hotel has received a 12-month suspended prison sentence.
Nicole Webster, 39, of Seaford, appeared in the District Court today where she had previously pleaded guilty to one charge of unlawful sexual intercourse.
She had earlier been charged with persistent sexual exploitation of a minor, but that charge was dropped.
The court heard Webster developed a relationship with the boy, whom she met through a friend, between November 2008 and April 2009.
In sentencing today, Judge David Lovell said he accepted Webster believed the boy was at least 17 because he was drinking at a hotel when they first met.
The relationship did not begin until some months later.
During an earlier disputed facts hearing the prosecution denied that assertion, but Judge Lovell said he had confidence in Webster's evidence and contrition.
"When you met again in 2008 you gave evidence that he looked over the age of 17 years, and from your previous meeting at the hotel you formed the belief he was over 17," Judge Lovell said.
"Only towards the end (of the relationship) did you become aware that he was actually under age.
"You accept there were four acts of sexual intercourse with him when you actually knew his age."
Judge Lovell said Webster tried to hide the relationship from family and friends because of the age difference, but her son, 19, was aware of it and had witnessed them having sex on at least one occasion.
He said Webster had a "hard life" and had turned to alcohol and cannabis to cope with psychological pressures.
"You were flattered by the attention (the victim) paid you," Judge Lovell said.
Judge Lovell said Webster has suffered from depression and a mood disorder as a result of the offending.
He sentenced her to 21 months' imprisonment with a 12-month non-parole period.
That sentence was suspended on a two-year, $500 good behaviour bond.
