Freed...trans woman who pushed PC on to rail line
A TRANSGENDER woman who shoved a police officer on to a railway line could be spared jail despite an “appalling” criminal record.
Paris Valeta Bregazzi barged off-duty PC Sam Chegwin on to the tracks after he heard her berating bystanders and asked her to calm down.
The 30-year-old has over 40 convictions for assault, shoplifting designer frocks and attacks on station staff and commuters. She has been disowned by her parents after coming out as transgender, the Old Bailey was told.
Judge Jeremy Dein QC released Bregazzi, of Islington, north London, on bail and admitted he was uncomfortable immediately jailing her.
PC Chegwin suffered minor injuries after his head landed near the live rail during the incident at Hanger Lane Tube station in west London in July.
He climbed back on to the platform and arrested the woman who told officers she had downed four bottles of prosecco and taken drugs during a wild night out.
Bregazzi, who recently had breast implants and cosmetic surgery worth £10,000, was detained in a male prison before pleading guilty to an unlawful act on a railway with intent to endanger a person.
The offence carries a maximum of life. Prosecutor Geoffrey Porter said that when Mr Chegwin asked her to calm down she was abusive.
She pushed him on to the rails. His head came within inches of the live line, although at the time it was not powered. “It wouldn’t have been until the train came,” Mr Porter said.
Defence barrister Mustapha Hakme said Bregazzi is one surgery away from fully transitioning to a woman.
“There is no doubt that her mental health issues have been exacerbated by her being transgender and the transition she has made so far,” he said.
The court heard she has struggled to deal with her parents disowning her. “This is a defendant who is desperate to complete her gender reassignment and just effectively get on with the rest of her life,” said Mr Hakme.
“While she’s in that transition period there can be no doubt that it’s taking its toll emotionally as well.”
Bregazzi will be sentenced in February. Judge Dein, who said she had an “appalling” record, felt the attack could be dealt with by a suspended sentence. He added: “It’s open to question in my view whether you intended to endanger him at all, but you have pleaded guilty.”