A 21-year-old trans woman has been jailed for 21 months after deceiving a man about being biologically male. Ciara Watkin, from Stockton-on-Tees, met the 18-year-old on Snapchat and performed sex acts while hiding her gender identity. She told him not to touch her below the waist, claiming she was on her period.
When Watkin later revealed she was born male, the victim said he felt “sick and ashamed.” “I’m a heterosexual man — I would never have agreed if I’d known,” he told the court. Judge Peter Makepeace said Watkin’s actions were “a cruel and deliberate deception” that shattered the victim’s trust.
Police said the case was about “true consent,” explaining the man was denied the right to make an informed choice. Watkin must register as a sex offender for 10 years and stay away from her victim for life.
Watkin’s lawyer said she suffered from gender dysphoria and lifelong bullying. But the judge said deception for sexual gain “cannot be excused.” The case reignites debate over consent, identity, and honesty in intimate relationships.
