A former math tutor has been sentenced to six years in prison for sexually abusing a vulnerable teenage boy. Holly Rouse-Sweeney, 37, arranged to meet the boy at her old home in Nottinghamshire, despite knowing he was under the age of consent. She had sexual contact with the boy on multiple occasions, which was discovered when the boy’s mother found inappropriate WhatsApp messages on his phone and contacted the police.
Rouse-Sweeney admitted to the abuse and even mentioned the boy’s true age in diary entries on her laptop. She claimed that her actions were influenced by a long-standing mental health condition. Rouse-Sweeney pleaded guilty to two counts of engaging in non-penetrative sexual activity with the boy and four counts of causing him to engage in sexual activity.
Following her sentencing, Rouse-Sweeney was added to the sex offender’s register and is now subject to a sexual harm prevention order. These orders impose strict restrictions on individuals after their release from prison, such as limitations on travel and internet usage. The specifics of Rouse-Sweeney’s order are not disclosed.
In addition to the prevention order, Rouse-Sweeney was given a restraining order prohibiting her from any contact with the victim in the future. Detective Constable Keeley Bringhurst of Nottinghamshire Police, a specialist in child abuse cases, condemned Rouse-Sweeney’s actions as a severe breach of trust. She emphasized the impact of the abuse on the victim and his family, expressing hope that the strong sentence would provide them with some comfort.
The case serves as a reminder of the importance of vigilance and safeguarding in educational settings, where individuals are entrusted with the care and well-being of vulnerable children. It underscores the need for thorough background checks and ongoing monitoring to prevent such abuses from occurring in the future.
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