Trans woman who ‘took bloke’s manhood’ learns fate after mum clocks ‘deep voice’

Ciara Watkin, 21, who identifies as a woman, spent the night with the man at a house in Thornaby, Teesside, after they met on the social media platform, Snapchat

A trans woman who “took the manhood” of their victim by tricking them into believing they were female has been jailed for 21 months. Ciara Watkin, 21, who identifies as a woman, spent the night with the man at a house in Thornaby, Teesside, after they met on the social media platform, Snapchat.

Watkin performed sex acts on the man after telling him not touch below the waist because of menstruation, Teeside Crown Court heard. After the case, the police referred to Watkin by female pronouns – while describing the defendant as “biologically male”.

The defendant was previously convicted of three counts of sexual assault following a trial at Teesside Crown Court. The sexual assault charges were brought after Watkin failed to disclose her transgender status to the man, which meant that he could not have given informed consent to the sexual activity between them back in June 2022.

The court heard the acts took place at a house in Thornaby. It was told Watkin stuffed their bra with a hankie at the time and performed other sex acts on their date. They also spoke of “twerking” on the bed.

The trial previously heard the defendant used a female cartoon avatar as a profile picture on the social media app and that the question of gender had never been discussed.

Recorder Peter Makepeace KC, sentencing at Durham Crown Court, said he was sure the victim, who was 18 at the time, was convinced Watkin was a woman.

When Watkin later messaged his phone with the “massive secret” about being born male, the teenager felt sick and began retching, the trial was told.

The court heard Watkin, of Walton Street, Stockton, has been diagnosed with gender dysphoria and is attracted to heterosexual men. Watkin, who wants to transition in the future, told the jury about wanting to be a female from the age of seven but hasn’t physically transitioned, saying this was “because I was on drugs”.

The defendant confirmed they were born male and named “Kieran.” Asked by the defence barrister what happened in the bedroom during the first date, Watkin said when the man touched their chest: “I moved his hand, because I’m trans, aren’t I.”

Watkin said they told him about being on a period “cos I wanted him to believe I was female”, telling the jury about shaving every morning but that this didn’t happen the morning after spending the night with the victim.

The victim’s mother reportedly met Watkin on the couple’s second date. In her police statement read out in court, the mum said how she had noticed at the time that Watkin had a “deep voice”.

She said: “Ciara was wearing pink leggings and pink fluffy-type shoes. Ciara had a deep voice and a Teesside accent. On first glance I did not believe she was female.”

The woman claimed to have watched her son take a phone call from Ciara afterwards. “His demeanour changed and I heard him say ‘OMG’,” she said.

“He asked if he could go outside for fresh air. He looked pale. He had his head in his hands and looked upset. He said he’d been sick a couple of times.

“He said the phone call was from Ciara. He said, ‘it’s not a woman, she’s admitted to me she’s a transvestite.’”

Asked by Detective Constable Martin Scotson why they didn’t tell the man about their gender earlier, Watkin replied: “Dunno. ‘Cos it’s hard for me to find relationships.” Watkin told police about believing the victim would have consented to the sex acts if he had known.

However, the avictim claimed he felt as though his “manhood had been taken” upon finding out that Watkin was a male, adding he wouldn’t have engaged in sexual activity if this was known because he “doesn’t swing that way”.

In a victim impact statement, the complainant said what happened to him had taken away some of his masculinity.

He said: “I am a heterosexual male and I wouldn’t even think of doing anything with a male.

“This has left me feeling ashamed and embarrassed, I have been ridiculed online due to Watkin’s deception.

“I have been so upset over this whole thing.”

Victoria Lamballe, defending, said Watkin had a “crass and licentious” side, but a psychiatric report had revealed her vulnerability.

Watkin had identified as female since primary school, and this was not “a matter of preference or choice but a deeply ingrained aspect of her identity”.

Ms Lamballe said Watkin grew up in a deprived area and experienced bullying, so it was not surprising that she developed a facade.

The defendant wept as Ms Lamballe said Watkin “wants to be seen by others as she sees herself”.

Sentencing, Recorder Makepeace said: “I simply do not know how you can be so unmoved by what you did given you have always accepted you deliberately deceived an 18-year-old lad, who had done nothing but show you kindness and decency and hospitality, into participating in sexual acts you know he would never have contemplated had he known the truth.”

He also said: “Having seen you give evidence and your conduct throughout the trail, I am satisfied at the heart of your offending was your frustration at wanting sexual experiences with heterosexual males, and, by definition, your need to deceive to achieve that – that frustration at not having a healthy outlet for sexual urges is hardly an unusual feature in sexual assault cases.”

The defendant must stay on the sex offenders’ register for 10 years and is subject to a life-long restraining order not to approach his victim, who cannot be identified by the media.