A court has heard how a transgender teenager was brutally attacked at a roller-skating party after being lured there by a group of young people. The 18-year-old victim, an aspiring model, was ambushed at Harrow Leisure Centre in London in what prosecutors described as a planned and targeted assault.

During the hearing at the Old Bailey, prosecutors said the teenager was surrounded within seconds of arriving. She was punched to the ground, kicked repeatedly, and stabbed several times by one member of the group. The attack lasted less than a minute but caused serious injuries. A bystander eventually stepped in and called for help, likely saving her life.

Five teenagers, now aged 17 to 20, have admitted causing grievous bodily harm with intent. Another 17-year-old has admitted robbery for taking the victim’s bag. Prosecutors said the attack was at least partly motivated by hostility toward the victim’s gender identity.

In a statement read in court, the young woman described the lasting impact of the violence. She said she now struggles with fear, panic attacks, and difficulty leaving her home. She also faces permanent scarring, which has affected her confidence and her hopes of working as a model.

“I never thought anyone would hate me that much,” she said. “It feels like I am living a life sentence.”

The main attacker, who had previous convictions, was already under a community order at the time. All six defendants will be sentenced on Thursday.