A SOMERSET mother who allowed a Wellington paedophile to abuse her children while she watched television has been jailed for eight years.

The 31-year-old woman from Bridgwater, who cannot be identified for legal reasons, was said to be under the control of Neil Burns who was recently jailed for 17 years. He was described by Judge David Ticehurst as “a manipulative paedophile”

The Judge told Taunton Crown Court the woman did what he wanted.

She took part in the abuse of her own children and did things to them that no decent mother would ever think of doing, he added.

Her barrister, Rebecca Bradberry, said the woman had learning difficulties and did not accept sexually abusing them.

She was convicted of eight counts – assault by penetration, sexual assault and neglect, and was ordered to have no contact with children under 16 for the rest of her life.