A trial at Teesside Crown Court has drawn attention after a 21-year-old transgender woman, Ciara Watkin from Stockton-on-Tees, was found guilty of sexual assault.
The case centered around the issue of consent, as Watkin did not disclose her transgender status before engaging in sexual activity with a young man.
How They First Met
According to evidence presented in court, the two initially connected on Snapchat, where they exchanged messages over several weeks.
Eventually, they agreed to meet at a house in Thornaby.
After spending time together, drinking, and getting to know one another, things turned intimate.
What Happened Behind Closed Doors
When they moved to a bedroom, Watkin told the man she was on her period, preventing him from touching her below the waist.
Instead, she performed sexual acts on him.
The court heard that similar encounters happened again a few days later, this time at the man’s home.
The Revelation That Changed Everything
After those meetings, Watkin suddenly cut off all communication with the man.
Later, she reconnected and eventually revealed through text messages that she was transgender and still had male genitalia.
The man later told police that he would never have agreed to any sexual activity if he had known this information beforehand.
The Legal Decision
Senior Crown Prosecutor Sarah Nelson explained that consent requires full knowledge of the circumstances, and in this case, the victim could not have given informed consent because the truth was not disclosed.
She emphasized how the man was deeply affected, both emotionally and mentally, by the situation.
What Happens Next
The court found Watkin guilty of multiple counts of sexual assault, and sentencing has been scheduled for October 10 at Teesside Crown Court.
Prosecutors expressed hope that the victim can now find some measure of closure knowing that justice has been served.
