UK Woman Convicted of Sex Assaults on Male Partner

LONDON, Aug. 22, — A transgender woman has been found guilty of sexually assaulting a male partner after failing to disclose her gender identity, preventing him from giving informed consent, British prosecutors said Friday.

Ciara Watkin, 21, met the man, also 21, through Snapchat in June 2022. Prosecutors said Watkin engaged in sexual acts with him without revealing she was transgender. She told the man she was menstruating, which meant he could not touch her below the waist.

Days later, the pair met again before Watkin blocked all contact. She later admitted in text messages that she was transgender and had male genitalia, the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) said.

“It is clear from the evidence that, prior to sexual activity, Watkin made no attempt to inform the victim of her transgender status,” said Senior Crown Prosecutor Sarah Nelson. “The victim has been clear he would not have consented had he known, and these events have had a significant impact on his mental wellbeing.”

Watkin, from Stockton-on-Tees in northeast England, admitted lying but her defense argued it would have been “blindingly obvious” to the man that she was not biologically female, according to the BBC.

Following a trial at Teesside Crown Court, Watkin was convicted on two counts of sexual assault and one count of assault by penetration. She will be sentenced on October 10. (Reuters)