A WOMAN has been jailed after sexually abusing a 16-year-old boy.

Gemma Marsland, 30, sent sexual messages to the vulnerable teenager before engaging in sexual activity with him. 

She then deleted the messages, and shut down concerns raised over by others over her victim's ‘sexualised behaviour’.

Marsland admitting two counts of engaging in sexual activity with a child, and a single count of inciting a child to engage in sexual activity.

She appeared at Bournemouth Crown Court on Monday, April 8, for sentencing.

Prosecutor Alexandra Bull told the court how the charges related to a series of incidents in the Blandford Forum area across March 8 and 9 in 2021.

The abuse began with Marsland inappropriately touching the boy, and then sending him sexual messages when they were apart for a brief period.

The abuse continued when they met up again, with Marsland engaging with sexual activity with the teenager.

The defendant had turned off the lights in the room they were in, and put something by the door to stop anyone from coming in, the court heard.

Marsland was arrested on March 10, 2021, after the victim spoke out on what had happened.

Despite DNA of the victim found in the crotch area of her pants, Marsland initially denied any physical contact with him, and said she didn’t gain any sexual gratification from the messages they exchanged.

It was also noted that the victim had kissed her in the days before the abuse began.

Mitigating, Nick Robinson said his client accepted that what she did was wrong, and apologises for her behaviour.

He told the court: “The reality is, is that Ms Marsland was in a very difficult situation both personally and professionally at the time, and her behaviour, which was out of character, cannot be accepted but understood.

“This was something that was unplanned, it was spontaneous and impulsive, and she is deeply sorry for the effect this has had on [the victim].”

Judge William Mousley KC noted a pre-sentence report which assessed the defendant as being a low risk of re-offending, but said if she did re-offend, she’d “pose a serious risk to children”.

Marsland, of Esme Avenue in Blandford St Mary, was jailed for one year.

She was also made subject to a Sexual Harm Prevention Order for ten years.