A woman who posed as a teenage girl and seduced a boy over Facebook has been jailed for three years.

Marie Dent, 44, of Clacton, was caught after the 15-year-old’s mother believed the paedophile was older than she said and a report was made to police.

Chelmsford Crown Court heard Dent created a fake social media account before contacting the 15-year-old boy and later meeting him to engage in sexual activity.

This morning she was sentenced to three years in prison and placed on the sexual offences register for life.

The court heard she suffered from depression and loneliness.

Her Honour Judge Emma Peters said: “You were looking to find solace but in entirely the wrong place.

“When people have such difficulties they don’t look to children to give them solace they look to friends or appropriate agencies.

“Therefore whatever you went down this way, the fact you did is quite clearly criminal and deserving of punishment.”

The court heard Dent had met up with the boy on two occasions late last year, maintaining each time she herself was also 15.

On the second occasion they engaged in sexual activity. The court had heard the boy had told police he was a willing participant but had not initiated any activity.

The court heard how Dent, who was 43 at the time, visited the boy on two occasions.

The second time last December she bought his mother a box of chocolates while she was out with her victim. The court head when she met his mother later that day she held her face down to hide her age with her hair.

However, the boy’s mother believed she was older and while the pair went up to his bedroom she tried to find out who she was.

Dent had previously admitted sexual activity with a child and possession of indecent images of a child.

Investigating officer, Detective Constable Richard English, said: “Marie Dent is a predator who used a false identity on social media to make friends with someone she knew was 15.

“She deceived the victim, claiming she was the same age and, on those lies, built a friendship which became sexual.

“This was a dreadful case and I’m pleased we’ve been able to safeguard the victim.

“I hope Dent will use her time in prison to reflect on her actions and their consequences.”