Nuneaton woman jailed for grooming teenage boy

A Nuneaton woman who groomed a 15-year-old boy has been jailed for sexual activity with a child.

Kellie Smith, 28, pleaded guilty to two counts of sexual activity with a child at Warwick Crown Court.

A statement from Warwickshire police said: "Smith groomed the 15-year-old, buying him alcohol and smoking cannabis with him. She then booked them both into a hotel in Nuneaton in March where they had sex.

"She was arrested the following day after the victim’s mother reported him missing and police enquiries established the two had spent the night together.

"Smith was handed a two year and eight month jail term at Warwick Crown Court on Tuesday 18th August."

The conviction follows an investigation by Nuneaton Serious and Complex Crime Team.

Police Staff Investigator Amanda Jackson from Nuneaton Serious and Complex Crime team said: “Like many people involved in the sexual exploitation of children, Smith groomed her victim. She made him believe she cared about him, purely to exploit him for her own sexual gratification. It was a despicable crime for which she has quite rightly been sent to prison.

“I would like to pay tribute to the victim. Coming to terms with the fact you have been groomed and abused in this way is never easy but he has shown great courage in supporting this investigation and conviction.

“Hopefully, this gives other victim of grooming and sexual exploitation the confidence to come forward in the knowledge that we will listen and we will investigate.”