Mary Ellen Mooney – Torbay, Devon
📍 Location
Torbay, Devon
🧾 Charges
- Causing a child to engage in sexual activity
- Inciting a child to engage in sexual activity (via Facebook messages)
⚖️ Sentence
- 2-year prison sentence (suspended for 2 years)
- 100 hours unpaid work
- 3-month night-time curfew (7pm–6am)
- 5-year Sexual Harm Prevention Order
- 10 years on the Sex Offenders Register
🧠 Summary
Mary Ellen Mooney was convicted in 2015 for sexual offences against a 13-year-old boy she was babysitting. The abuse included physical sexual contact and the sending of explicit and manipulative Facebook messages days later. The victim repeatedly disclosed the incidents to a friend during the event.
Despite initially denying the charges, Mooney eventually admitted guilt on the day of her trial. Her sentence was suspended due to personal background and mental health considerations, though the court acknowledged the serious breach of trust involved in her role as a babysitter.
📝 Notes
Mooney’s offending included grooming behaviour, exploitation of trust, and emotional manipulation. She is prohibited from unsupervised contact with boys under 16 and remains on the Sex Offenders Register. Her actions caused significant distress to the young victim and his family.
All information sourced from public court records and official sentencing reports.