Man jailed for transphobic attack in Liverpool

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20-year-old Ryan Kenny from Wirral has been jailed for 20 months for a attacking a trans woman in Liverpool.

He says he was drunk when he approached the woman, and on discovering she was trans, pulled her wig off and hit her with it several times. When she put her arm out to defend herself, he punched her twice. He also stole the carrier bag full of makeup she was carrying.

Kenny, who has 31 previous convictions, pleaded guilty to actual bodily harm and theft.

His defense, John Bellam, said: “He has expressed remorse, regret and shame.

“He was out with his friend, they were looking for companionship from young ladies, and he shouted towards the young lady and wolf-whistled.

“It would appear he was teased by his friend who said this was a man and that appears to be a trigger factor, which has caused Mr Kenny to be embarrassed.”

Judge Brian Lewis said: “This was a quite disgraceful attack on a vulnerable victim.

“She was targeted because she was transgender and the attack was completely unprovoked. It was humiliating, degrading and persistent.

“It was no excuse that somebody else said something that may have provoked you in some way.

This was completely unjustified.”