Transgender woman found guilty of sexual assault after deception

TRANSGENDER WOMAN FOUND GUILTY OF SEXUAL ASSAULT AFTER DECEPTION

A transgender woman who lied to a man about being a biological female when she performed sex acts upon him has been found guilty of sexual assault.

Ciara Watkin, 21, who is biologically male but identifies as female, told the man she was on her period to hide her true sex, Teesside Crown Court heard.

Prosecutors stated it was a case of 'informed consent,' with the victim saying he would not have engaged in sex had he known her true biological sex.

Watkin admitted lying but claimed the man would still have realized she was male.

The court heard Watkin was born male but had identified as female and used the name Ciara since age 13, though no medical treatments or surgery had been undergone.

The defendant was convicted of three counts of sexual assault after a jury deliberated for about an hour following a two-day trial.

The judge, Recorder Peter Makepeace KC, said he would need a report from the Probation Service before sentencing, which was provisionally scheduled for October 10.

Watkin is also required to sign the sex offender register within three days.

Prosecutor Sarah Nelson highlighted that Watkin did not disclose her transgender status before the sexual activity, which prevented the victim from giving informed consent, and noted the assaults had significantly impacted him mentally.

Watkin was granted bail and faces possible imprisonment.