Trans woman who abused stepson appeals prison sentence

A TRANSGENDER woman who sexually assaulted her stepson – starting when he was just four – and threatened to break his arms and legs has appealed the severity of her six-year sentence.

The 32-year-old, who cannot be named to protect the victim’s identity, was convicted by a Circuit Criminal Court jury of ten counts of sexual assault contrary to section 2 of the Criminal Law (Rape) Act 1990.

She was convicted of one count of child cruelty. The offences occurred between September 2011 and September 2013.

On December 9, 2019, a judge sentenced the woman to six years and six months imprisonment, with the final six months suspended.

Defence counsel Roderick O’Hanlon argued before the Court of Appeal yesterday that the sentencing judge did not have sufficient regard to the difficulties his client, as a transgender woman, would have in prison.

She is being held in a women’s jail. He also said the judge should have suspended a greater portion of the sentence to allow for rehabilitation.

The trial heard the offender was male at birth. Before transitioning to a female she began a relationship with the victim’s mother and moved into the family home where she took the role of a ‘stepfather’.

Court of Appeal president Judge George Birmingham, sitting with two other judges, reserved judgement in the sentence appeal.