Christchurch mother had a sexual relationship with her friend’s 15-year-old son, and now she is free

A Christchurch mother has been sentenced to nine months’ home detention, avoiding prison, after pleading guilty to a sexual relationship with her friend’s 15-year-old son in 2022. The court found the relationship was inappropriate but consensual. The mother faced up to five years in prison under earlier sentencing guidelines.

Judge Jane Farish considered the woman’s “distorted thinking” and emotional vulnerabilities. She recognised the relationship lasted seven months, during which both parties believed they were in love. There was no grooming, and both were emotionally dependent on each other.

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The judge also acknowledged the teen, who had been missing from home more than 20 times, was “months away from the legal age of consent.” The boy’s mother was aware of, but chose not to intervene, fearing for her son’s mental health.

The woman’s defence lawyer highlighted her traumatic past, including childhood abuse, a toxic former relationship, and mental health challenges.

These factors, combined with her role as mother of three, led to an overall 20% reduction in her sentence, with further discounts for PTSD, vulnerability, and her family role. This reduced the original four-year starting point to a nine-month home detention sentence.

The judge concluded that home detention would better protect her children and give her access to necessary counselling. She was also referred to a sex offender programme, banned from alcohol, and required to follow any court-directed treatment.

Despite the “inappropriate” nature of the relationship, Judge Farish ruled out a full sex offender registration. There was no evidence suggesting future risk to children under 16.

Name suppression was granted to protect her children and prevent identifying the victim.