A MOTHER and son who exchanged sexually explicit Facebook messages have been given community orders by a judge.

Theresa Terry, aged 39, of Park Street, Worcester, and Ashley Terry, 19, formerly of St Paul's Hostel, Tallow Hill, but who now lives in Stourport, pleaded guilty at Worcester Crown Court to encouraging the commission of sexual offences in October 2012.

Judge Michael Cullum ordered that both should be supervised for 12 months under the orders and they should each sign the sex offender log for five years.

Prosecutor Michael Conry said the messages were couched in stark terms and the recipients admitted that they had been excited by the content. He added that the texts were perverted and although there was incitement there was nothing to suggest that any actions had been carried out.

Theresa Terry first denied that the texts were from her son and that they could have been from a former partner so she just played along.

Her son first claimed that someone hacked into his account.

Abigail Nixon, for Ashley Terry, said he was only 17 at the time of the offence. But now he had started a new life and was living in a caravan in Stourport.

Jason Aris, for the mother, said there was no evidence of sexual activity by either party.

Judge Cullum said right-minded people would be horrified by the sexually explicit messages between mother and son. If they had progressed further they could have resulted in custody.