A transgender woman has sexually assaulted a man by hiding her gender status, a jury at Teesside Crown Court has ruled.
Ciara Watkin, 21, of Stockton-on-Tees, deceived a 21-year-old man in June 2022 and engaged in sexual activity without telling him she was transgender.
The two first connected on Snapchat, where they exchanged messages for weeks. When they met in Thornaby, they drank together and went to a bedroom. Watkin told the man she was on her period, stopping him from touching her below the waist while she performed sexual acts on him.
Days later, Watkin went to the man’s home and initiated more sexual activity. She then cut off contact before later admitting in text messages that she was transgender and had male genitalia.
The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) said Watkin deliberately misled the man, making true consent impossible. The victim told police he would not have had sex if he had known the truth.
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. By failing to disclose this, it would not have been possible for him to give informed consent.”
She added that the deception caused the victim serious mental distress.
The jury convicted Watkin of sexual assault. A sentencing hearing will follow.
Wider Implications of Hiding Biological Gender
This conviction marks a turning point in how UK courts view gender identity and consent. The ruling shows that courts now treat deception over biological sex as sexual assault, effectively creating a legal duty of disclosure for transgender people before sexual activity.
The case highlights a growing tension between privacy and consent. Supporters say the ruling protects victims and reinforces the principle that consent must be fully informed. Critics argue it could place transgender people under new pressure and scrutiny when forming relationships.
For now, the Teesside case delivers a clear message: withholding biological sex or gender status before sex risks criminal prosecution.
TL;DR: This case shows that UK courts now recognise deception about biological sex as a basis for sexual assault charges.
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