South Wales Evening Post
March 23, 2015
A JEHOVAH'S Witness walked free today after confessing to having sex with a schoolboy less than half her age.
Kelly Richards was caught because the boy's suspicious mother taped their sexual phone chats.
The 36-year-old admitted having full sex with the 15-year-old over a three-month affair.
Merthyr Crown Court heard the mother-of-two's devoted husband Paul, 34, was pledging to stand by her despite her underage sex romp - and even went with her to court where she admitted her shame.
Richards, of Mountain Ash, sobbed as she admitted one count of sexual activity with a child between October and December 2012.
Merthyr Tydfil Crown Court was told Richards had told the boy: "Don't tell anyone because I might get done for this".
Their sexual relationship was uncovered after the lad's suspicious mother placed a tape recorder in her son's bedroom to discover why he had begun hiding his mobile phone and spending so much time staying with Richards.
The boy admitted to police that Richards had sex with him, had given him alcohol, asked for massages.
Prosecutor Roger Griffiths told the court the pair had sex after Richards had an argument with her husband Paul.
He said: "Mrs Richards was in her bedroom crying and [the boy] went into the room to comfort her.
"Mrs Richards began kissing him and it led to full sexual intercourse."
The court was told the boy's housebound mother became suspicious about her son's contact with Richards and took away his mobile phone.
But Richards gave the boy a new SIM card to carry on their chats in phone calls and text messages.
The pair were arrested in February 2013 and the boy told police she had been "leading him on".
Mr Griffiths said: "There were also suggestions of leaving home when he was 16 - which greatly upset his mother."
Sarah Waters, defending, said Richards had been looking after the vulnerable 15-year-old boy.
Miss Waters said: "She took him out with her family to go shopping and ice skating and do all the things a young boy wants to do with a family.
"Their relationship obviously developed into something it shouldn't have."
Judge Richard Twomlow told Richards her victim was "vulnerable" and she had "developed a strong influence over him".
He told her: "Despite the fact you knew his age you had sexual intercourse with him at your home.
"That happened after a period of what might be described as grooming.
"When you were arrested you denied any sexual relationship.
"You did plead guilty, although on the day of your trial."
Judge Twomlow told Richards he had decided "with some hesitation" not to the send the mother-of-two to jail.
Richards was sentenced to a two-year suspended jail term and a sexual offences prevention order.
She will also have to sign on to the sex offenders register for 10 years.
A neighbour said: "It is incredible that Paul is sticking with her after what she has done. Having sex with an underage boy like that is disgusting."
Read more: http://www.southwales-eveningpost.co.uk/Jehovah-s-Witness-caught-having-sex-15-year-old/story-26217097-detail/story.html#GVf8FiGf7Q062QVd.01#ixzz3VDwtpRK0
March 23, 2015
Kelly Richards was caught because the boy's suspicious mother taped their sexual phone chats.
The 36-year-old admitted having full sex with the 15-year-old over a three-month affair.
Merthyr Crown Court heard the mother-of-two's devoted husband Paul, 34, was pledging to stand by her despite her underage sex romp - and even went with her to court where she admitted her shame.
Richards, of Mountain Ash, sobbed as she admitted one count of sexual activity with a child between October and December 2012.
Merthyr Tydfil Crown Court was told Richards had told the boy: "Don't tell anyone because I might get done for this".
Their sexual relationship was uncovered after the lad's suspicious mother placed a tape recorder in her son's bedroom to discover why he had begun hiding his mobile phone and spending so much time staying with Richards.
The boy admitted to police that Richards had sex with him, had given him alcohol, asked for massages.
Prosecutor Roger Griffiths told the court the pair had sex after Richards had an argument with her husband Paul.
He said: "Mrs Richards was in her bedroom crying and [the boy] went into the room to comfort her.
"Mrs Richards began kissing him and it led to full sexual intercourse."
The court was told the boy's housebound mother became suspicious about her son's contact with Richards and took away his mobile phone.
But Richards gave the boy a new SIM card to carry on their chats in phone calls and text messages.
The pair were arrested in February 2013 and the boy told police she had been "leading him on".
Mr Griffiths said: "There were also suggestions of leaving home when he was 16 - which greatly upset his mother."
Sarah Waters, defending, said Richards had been looking after the vulnerable 15-year-old boy.
Miss Waters said: "She took him out with her family to go shopping and ice skating and do all the things a young boy wants to do with a family.
"Their relationship obviously developed into something it shouldn't have."
Judge Richard Twomlow told Richards her victim was "vulnerable" and she had "developed a strong influence over him".
He told her: "Despite the fact you knew his age you had sexual intercourse with him at your home.
"That happened after a period of what might be described as grooming.
"When you were arrested you denied any sexual relationship.
"You did plead guilty, although on the day of your trial."
Judge Twomlow told Richards he had decided "with some hesitation" not to the send the mother-of-two to jail.
Richards was sentenced to a two-year suspended jail term and a sexual offences prevention order.
She will also have to sign on to the sex offenders register for 10 years.
A neighbour said: "It is incredible that Paul is sticking with her after what she has done. Having sex with an underage boy like that is disgusting."
Read more: http://www.southwales-eveningpost.co.uk/Jehovah-s-Witness-caught-having-sex-15-year-old/story-26217097-detail/story.html#GVf8FiGf7Q062QVd.01#ixzz3VDwtpRK0
