JANE GRAEME BECK'S SHOCKING CRIMES IN LEEDS AND STRANRAER: SEXUAL OFFENCES AND VIOLENCE REVEALED

In April 2023, a series of disturbing criminal acts committed by Jane Beck, formerly known as Graeme Beck, came to light, revealing a troubling pattern of sexual misconduct and violence spanning several years and locations, including Leeds and Stranraer.

Jane Beck, aged 53, has a history of predatory behavior that has now culminated in her being sentenced to prison for multiple offenses. Her criminal activities include the sexual assault of two female volunteers at a church food bank in Stranraer, as well as an incident involving flashing during a work-related video conference call. Beck’s actions have shocked the local community and prompted discussions about her past and the treatment of transgender offenders within the Scottish prison system.

Beck, who previously worked in the kitchen at the Fed Up drop-in centre in Stranraer, carried out her assaults between 2021 and 2022. The victims, both women volunteers, reported that Beck’s behavior was deliberately sexually motivated. According to court proceedings, the first complainant described how Beck had grabbed her left arm and placed her right hand on her waist, actions that caused her to develop a genuine fear of the accused. Witnesses also testified that Beck would slide her body against the victims while walking past, further intensifying their discomfort and fear.

Another woman, also a volunteer, accused Beck of molesting her back and buttocks while at work, which led to her reporting the incident to the police. Beck’s arrest followed this complaint in July 2022. The court heard that Beck’s misconduct extended beyond physical assault; she was also investigated for a flashing incident during a conference call for her workplace at Avon, which took place between October and December 2021. During this incident, Beck reportedly attended calls wearing a loosely tied dressing gown with nothing underneath, despite prior warnings about her attire. Her lawyer, Michael Kilkerr, attempted to downplay this offense during sentencing, suggesting it was due to her careless approach to the video call. However, Sheriff Anthony McGlennan dismissed this explanation, emphasizing the seriousness of the misconduct.

Beck’s criminal record is extensive, with prior convictions dating back to 2008. In that year, she was jailed for two years after attacking a sleeping woman she had found on a Christian dating site. During that period, she was also given a Sexual Offences Prevention Order that prohibited her from approaching children. Her history of violence and sexual misconduct continued, with another assault occurring in July 2021 in Dumfriesshire, where she lunged at a woman’s breasts while dressed in a manner that did not conceal her gender identity. The victim described Beck as a “wolf in sheep’s clothing,” criticizing her for demanding to be called “she” despite her appearance and behavior not being feminine.

Following her latest offenses, Beck pleaded guilty to groping a 47-year-old woman in November 2022. She was subsequently issued a Sexual Offences Prevention Order valid for five years, restricting her from unsupervised contact with minors and from forming relationships without approval. Her sentencing included a prison term of 144 days, along with non-harassment orders preventing her from approaching victims for three years, and a seven-year registration on the sex offenders’ register. The court highlighted the seriousness of her crimes, noting her previous conviction in 2008 and emphasizing that imprisonment was necessary to deter further offending.

Throughout the proceedings, questions about Beck’s status as a transgender individual and her placement within the prison system arose. The Scottish Prison Service declined to confirm whether Beck was housed in a male or female facility, especially in light of recent controversies involving transgender prisoners with histories of violence against women, such as Isla Bryson. The SPS has since implemented policies to prevent the placement of trans prisoners with violent histories into female prisons, reflecting ongoing concerns about safety and appropriate placement within the justice system.