Ciara Watkin, aged 21, of Walton Street, Stockton-on-Tees, County Durham, has been convicted of multiple counts of sexual assault at Teesside Crown Court after failing to disclose her transgender status to a male partner prior to engaging in sexual acts.
The prosecution arose from a series of incidents that occurred in June 2022.
The court heard that Watkin initially connected with the 21-year-old victim via Snapchat, communicating over a period of two weeks before coordinating an in-person meeting at a residential property in Thornaby.
After consuming alcohol and socialising, the pair moved into a bedroom where Watkin performed sexual acts on the victim.
During the encounter, Watkin informed the man that she was menstruating, using the assertion to prevent him from touching her below the waist.
Several days later, Watkin attended the victim’s address where further sexual acts took place under identical circumstances.
Following the incidents, Watkin blocked the victim across digital communication platforms.
She subsequently resumed contact and revealed during a text message conversation that she was transgender and possessed male genitalia.
The Crown Prosecution Service charged Watkin with multiple counts of sexual assault, arguing that the deliberate failure to disclose her gender status and anatomy vitiated the victim’s consent under UK law, meaning informed consent could not legally be granted.
Speaking following the conviction, Sarah Nelson, Senior Crown Prosecutor at CPS North East, said: “It is clear from the evidence in this case that, prior to engaging in sexual activity with the victim, Watkin had made no attempt to inform him of her transgender status. The Crown Prosecution Service has shown that, by failing to disclose this to him, it would not have been possible for him to give informed consent to sexual activity. The victim has made clear in police interview that he would not have engaged in sexual activity had he known that Watkin was transgender and, consequently, these events have had a significant impact on his mental wellbeing.”
Following deliberations, the jury returned guilty verdicts on all counts of sexual assault.
The trial judge adjourned the case for pre-sentence reports, with Watkin scheduled to return to Teesside Crown Court for formal sentencing on 10 October.
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