Five youths jailed for ‘sickening’ transphobic attack
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Five youths who lured a transgender woman to a roller disco before “viciously” stabbing and beating her in a revenge attack have been jailed. The then 18-year-old was stabbed nine times, punched, kicked and stamped on while transphobic slurs were shouted at her.
She is living with “thick scars” and still struggles to sleep after the incident. The woman only survived the attack in Harrow, north-west London, because passersby stepped in to help, the Old Bailey was told. Members of the group later bragged about the February 10 assault and taunted their victim, posting footage of what they had done on social media.
His Honour Judge Philip Katz KC said the “abhorrent” attack had been motivated by a “distorted notion of revenge,” adding that it was at least in part linked to the woman’s gender identity. Summer Betts-Ramsey, 20, who carried out the stabbing, was sentenced to eight and a half years in youth detention, of which, four and half must be served in custody.
Judge Katz told her she was a “dangerous offender” who posed a risk to the public. A crying woman stormed out of the public gallery as the sentence was delivered, shouting “I love you Summer” and “people get less for murder”. Bradley Harris, Camron Osei, and Shiloh Hindes, all 18, were sentenced to three years in youth detention.
