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Transgender woman Vicky Thompson found dead at Armley jail Transgender woman Vicky Thompson found dead at Armley jail
(about 17 hours later)
A transgender woman who told her friends she would kill herself if she was sent to a male prison has been found dead in jail.A transgender woman who told her friends she would kill herself if she was sent to a male prison has been found dead in jail.
Vicky Thompson, 21, was being held at Armley, Leeds, where she was pronounced dead on Friday.Vicky Thompson, 21, was being held at Armley, Leeds, where she was pronounced dead on Friday.
Friends of Ms Thompson, who was born male but had identified as female since her mid-teens, said she had asked to be sent to a female prison. Friends of Thompson, who was born male but had identified as female since her mid-teens, said she had asked to be sent to a female prison.
An investigation into her death has been launched, the Prison Service said.An investigation into her death has been launched, the Prison Service said.
Ms Thompson, from Keighley, West Yorkshire, was handed a 12-month jail term in August which was suspended for 24 months. Thompson, from Keighley, West Yorkshire, was handed a 12-month jail term in August which was suspended for 24 months.
The BBC understands she later breached the terms of the sentence, and was remanded in custody at Bradford Crown Court.The BBC understands she later breached the terms of the sentence, and was remanded in custody at Bradford Crown Court.
Her solicitor, Mohammed Hussain, said he had advised the judge she was "essentially a woman" and asked for her to be sent to New Hall women's prison, near Wakefield.Her solicitor, Mohammed Hussain, said he had advised the judge she was "essentially a woman" and asked for her to be sent to New Hall women's prison, near Wakefield.
He said he also asked for any sentence to be reduced if it was decided Ms Thompson would be sent to an all-male prison. He said he also asked for any sentence to be reduced if it was decided Thompson would be sent to an all-male prison.
Mr Hussain described Ms Thompson, who had not undergone gender reassignment surgery, as a vulnerable transgender person. Mr Hussain described Thompson, who had not undergone gender reassignment surgery, as a vulnerable transgender person.
The issue of sentencing transgender prisoners was raised last month, after Tara Hudson was initially sent to an all-male prison.The issue of sentencing transgender prisoners was raised last month, after Tara Hudson was initially sent to an all-male prison.
She was later transferred to a female jail after a campaign calling for her to be moved.She was later transferred to a female jail after a campaign calling for her to be moved.
Alex Kaye, from SafeT, which represents transgender people, said he hoped Ms Thompson's death would bring about a change in the law.Alex Kaye, from SafeT, which represents transgender people, said he hoped Ms Thompson's death would bring about a change in the law.
"Any woman would not be happy to be in a male prison regardless of any gender identity history," he said."Any woman would not be happy to be in a male prison regardless of any gender identity history," he said.
Transgender prison rulesTransgender prison rules
Source: The Care and Management of Transsexual Prisoners, Ministry of Justice websiteSource: The Care and Management of Transsexual Prisoners, Ministry of Justice website
Ms Thompson's boyfriend, Robert Steele, said he had spoken to her a day before and had booked a visit to the prison before her death. Thompson's boyfriend, Robert Steele, said he had spoken to her a day before and had booked a visit to the prison before her death.
"She didn't like it in there because people were saying things to her because she was dressing as a female," he said."She didn't like it in there because people were saying things to her because she was dressing as a female," he said.
A Prison Service spokesperson said: "HMP Leeds prisoner Vicky Thompson was found unresponsive on the evening of Friday, 13 November.A Prison Service spokesperson said: "HMP Leeds prisoner Vicky Thompson was found unresponsive on the evening of Friday, 13 November.
"Staff and paramedics attempted resuscitation but she was pronounced dead at 20:48 GMT."Staff and paramedics attempted resuscitation but she was pronounced dead at 20:48 GMT.
"As with all deaths in custody there will be an investigation by the independent Prisons and Probation Ombudsman"."As with all deaths in custody there will be an investigation by the independent Prisons and Probation Ombudsman".
West Yorkshire Police said Ms Thompson's death was not being treated as suspicious. West Yorkshire Police said Thompson's death was not being treated as suspicious.