Woman who posed as teenager jailed after grooming 15-year-old boy for sex

A 44-year-old woman who posed as a teenage girl on Facebook to groom a 15-year-old boy for sex has been jailed for three years.

Marie Dent, from Clacton-on-Sea, set up a fake account and began befriending young people online, Essex Police said.

After she exchanged messages with a 15-year-old boy, they met twice in 2016 and sexual activity took place on both occasions.

A “large amount” of messages between the pair were found on Dent’s phone and some were of a sexual nature, police said.

Dent (pictured) admitted at an earlier hearing at Chelmsford Crown Court to three counts of sexual activity with a child and one count of possessing indecent images of a child.

She was sentenced at the same court on Tuesday.

Detective Constable Richard English said: “Marie Dent is a predator who used a false identity on social media to make friends with someone she knew was 15.

“She deceived the victim, claiming she was the same age and, on those lies, built a friendship which became sexual.

“This was a dreadful case and I’m pleased we’ve been able to safeguard the victim.

“I hope Dent will use her time in prison to reflect on her actions and their consequences.”

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