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The Independent UK
The Independent UK
National
Rose Troup Buchanan

Babysitter who 'sexually touched' 13-year-old boy may face jail, judge warns

A babysitter who enticed a 13-year-old boy into sexually touching her may face prison, she heard in court on Wednesday.

Mary-Ellen Mooney, of Black Heath Cresent, Bradwell Common, was babysitting on 10 January when a friend of the child under her care visited the house in Milton Keynes.

The 18-year-old allegedly made sexual suggestions to the young teenager as the pair sat watching television together and began “cuddling”.

Ms Mooney reportedly grabbed the teen’s hand and “guided” it towards her genitals, placing it beneath her underwear, Aylesbury Crown Court heard.

“It was believed that all this all happened in a period of minute and also involved the pair kissing on the lips,” prosecuting lawyer Richard Milne claimed.

Ms Mooney, who works in insurance sales, also apparently sent Facebook messages “clearly of a sexual nature” to the boy after the incident.

When details of the encounter came to light, Ms Mooney was attacked by members of the child’s family, the Milton Keynes Citizen reported.

Judge Karen Holt said the incident was an “abuse of trust”.

“This is a case that clearly passes the custody threshold and, although this is not certain, you must know that you could face a prison sentence following your offences which you have admitted,” Judge Holt told Ms Mooney.

The defendant will be required to wear an electronic curfew tag between 7pm and 6am until her 10 November hearing.

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