Kelsey Brookes

A Rotherham woman, Kelsey Brookes, sobbed in court as she was sentenced to 30 months in prison for three separate sex offences against a vulnerable teenage boy. The case, heard at Sheffield Crown Court, involved Brookes inciting the boy, who was 15 at the time and described as having the mental capability of an 11-year-old, to engage in sexual activity with her.

Prosecutor Gurdial Singh detailed how Brookes contacted the boy's phone 1,413 times over several months, while the boy contacted her 2,467 times. Some messages were sexually graphic, outlining what the pair wanted to do to each other. Brookes sent videos of herself and pictures of herself in the shower, fully naked, and retained a picture of the boy's genitals on her phone. Judge David Dixon remarked, “You made explicit requests to, in effect, have sex with a child. A boy with the mental capability of an 11-year-old was being asked to have sex with an adult, who was sending graphic images of her pleasuring herself.” The judge noted the boy's ability to comprehend adult emotions is greatly restricted and that he is entitled to lifelong anonymity.

• Brookes was charged with: causing or inciting a boy aged 13 to 15 to engage in sexual activity; engaging in sexual activity with a child; and causing a child aged 13 to 15 to watch or look at an image of sexual activity.
• She admitted all three charges.
• The offending was uncovered after examination of her phone, with no physical sexual activity confirmed between the pair, though the judge expressed doubts given the communication.

Defending, Rebecca Randall highlighted Brookes' genuine remorse, evidenced by her guilty pleas, letters of recommendation, and a letter to the court. Randall stated that Brookes, who had a clean criminal record prior to this, was under extreme stress at the time and that the behaviour was entirely out of character. She added, “She’s consumed by shame,” noting Brookes' deteriorating mental health, which led her to contact the mental health crisis team in April 2024. Brookes and her family members in the public gallery were seen sobbing as the sentence was passed.

In addition to the 30-month custodial sentence, Judge Dixon imposed a 15-year sexual harm prevention order on Brookes, restricting her internet use and prohibiting her from living under the same roof as a boy under 18 without permission from the relevant local authority. The case was reported by the Rotherham Advertiser on 21 August 2024, based on proceedings at Sheffield Crown Court.