Male trans person who said he was female guilty of sexual assault for tricking man into sex act 

A biological male who identifies as a transgender woman has been found guilty of sexual assault after lying about his sex to a man with whom he had sexual contact, according to the BBC.

Ciara Watkin, 21, told the man he was on his period to stop the man from realizing his anatomical sex, Teesside Crown Court heard. 

Prosecutors said the case centered around informed consent. The man told the police he would not have had sexual contact with Watkin had he known the truth.

Watkin admitted to lying, but he claimed the man should have realized Watkin was a male. 

The court heard that Watkin had been using the name Ciara since the age of 13 but had not undergone medical treatment or surgery.

The two, who are the same age, first met on Snapchat. Watkin used a female cartoon character as a profile picture before arranging to meet in person.

During their encounter, Watkin allegedly moved the man’s hand away when he attempted to touch his breast and thigh. When he tried to feel below his waist, he told the man he was on his period.

When Watkin later revealed the truth, the man went to the police. He told officers he would not have met him if he had known, because he did “not swing that way.”

Watkin’s lawyers argued he saw and presented himself as female, and that it was “blindingly obvious” he was not biologically female.

After a two-day trial, a jury of seven women and five men found Watkin guilty after just over an hour of deliberation.

Recorder Peter Makepeace KC said he would need a report from the Probation Service before sentencing. He said that imprisonment was possible and granted Watkin bail, with sentencing scheduled for October 10.

Watkin must also register as a sex offender within three days, the judge ordered.

Sarah Nelson, senior crown prosecutor at Crown Prosecution Service North East, said it was “clear” Watkin had failed to tell the man the truth.

“By failing to disclose this to him, it would not have been possible for him to give informed consent to sexual activity,” Nelson said.

Nelson added that the case had harmed the victim’s well-being.

“The assaults had had a significant impact on the victim’s mental well-being,” Nelson said. “We hope that he can take some comfort from seeing Watkin convicted for these serious sexual offences today.”