May 2001

Woman jailed for sex with boy

A mother-of-three who sought comfort from her violent husband in a sexual relationship with a 13-year-old boy has been jailed for 12 months.

Sentencing Ann Timmins at Birmingham Crown Court, the judge Recorder Mr Nicholas Jarman QC said: “It was a relationship that continued for at least 18 months and which covered various aspects of sexual intercourse.

“He was very young and you were almost three times his age.”

The judge, who also ordered that Timmins (40) should be put on the Sex Offenders Register for ten years, said he was sentencing her on the basis that full sexual intercourse with the boy only took place after his 13th birthday and he also took into account other various factors.

“I accept you were the victim of violence from your husband and that may have driven you to seek comfort with him,” he said.

Timmins, of Braymore Road, Tile Cross, Birmingham, had previously admitted two charges of indecent assault and one charge of gross indecency.

Andreeja Chatterjee, prosecuting, said the relationship began in 1998 at a time when Timmins’ husband was away in America.

“The victim describes becoming closer to the defendant. He would often visit her house,” she said.

Miss Chatterjee said the visits took place at lunchtimes and sometimes after school.

“They took part in hugging and kissing and sometimes this would take place on visits to her house when other family members, including her children, were present in the same room.”

She said matters progressed to full intercourse in the front room of Timmins’ house.

Miss Chatterjee said the boy, who would sometimes stay overnight, had no previous sexual experience. Timmins told the boy she loved him.

Miss Chatterjee said matters finally came to an end when the boy’s aunt told his mother about the liaison.

Stephen Parker, defending, said it was not a question of Timmins deliberately abusing the victim but it was a relationship which had developed and progressed.