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| Trans woman sentenced to six years for rape | Trans woman sentenced to six years for rape |
| (3 days later) | |
| Lexi Secker, who now identifies as a woman, claimed the incident was consensual | Lexi Secker, who now identifies as a woman, claimed the incident was consensual |
| A trans woman has been jailed for six and a half years after being found guilty of rape following a night out. | A trans woman has been jailed for six and a half years after being found guilty of rape following a night out. |
| Lexi Secker raped a woman in Blunsdon, Wiltshire, on 23 April 2023. The attack took place before Secker began identifying as a woman. | Lexi Secker raped a woman in Blunsdon, Wiltshire, on 23 April 2023. The attack took place before Secker began identifying as a woman. |
| The attack took place in secluded woods after the pair took a walk "under the pretence of sobering up". | The attack took place in secluded woods after the pair took a walk "under the pretence of sobering up". |
| Secker, 35, of Lowbourne, near Melksham, has been ordered to carry out her sentence in a male prison and will remain on the sex offenders register indefinitely. | Secker, 35, of Lowbourne, near Melksham, has been ordered to carry out her sentence in a male prison and will remain on the sex offenders register indefinitely. |
| 'Unbearable shame and fear' | 'Unbearable shame and fear' |
| Throughout the sentencing hearing, barristers and the judge referred to the defendant as "Ms Secker" and "she". | Throughout the sentencing hearing, barristers and the judge referred to the defendant as "Ms Secker" and "she". |
| However, in a victim personal statement, the woman raped by Secker used the name "Alex" to describe her attacker. | However, in a victim personal statement, the woman raped by Secker used the name "Alex" to describe her attacker. |
| She said: "He took away my trust in people and myself. The assault consumed me with shame and fear." | She said: "He took away my trust in people and myself. The assault consumed me with shame and fear." |
| The woman, who attended court in person to see Secker sentenced, added she had experienced "unbearable anxiety, shame and fear" since the attack. | The woman, who attended court in person to see Secker sentenced, added she had experienced "unbearable anxiety, shame and fear" since the attack. |
| Secker was sentenced at Swindon Crown Court | Secker was sentenced at Swindon Crown Court |
| Sentencing Secker, Judge Jason Taylor KC described how the victim had been on a night out with the defendant, and was "significantly affected by alcohol". | Sentencing Secker, Judge Jason Taylor KC described how the victim had been on a night out with the defendant, and was "significantly affected by alcohol". |
| "I am sure you hatched a plan to be alone with her," he said. | "I am sure you hatched a plan to be alone with her," he said. |
| "You suggested you take her for a walk under the pretence of sobering up. You took her to a secluded spot in the woods. | "You suggested you take her for a walk under the pretence of sobering up. You took her to a secluded spot in the woods. |
| "You were able to exercise judgment, make rational choices and understood the nature and consequences of your actions." | "You were able to exercise judgment, make rational choices and understood the nature and consequences of your actions." |
| During the trial, Secker claimed the incident was "consensual intercourse" initiated by the victim. | During the trial, Secker claimed the incident was "consensual intercourse" initiated by the victim. |
| But Judge Taylor described the defendant as being "focused on your own sexual gratification" when the attack took place. | But Judge Taylor described the defendant as being "focused on your own sexual gratification" when the attack took place. |
| The court heard how Secker has depression and gender dysphoria and requires psychological and medical treatment. | The court heard how Secker has depression and gender dysphoria and requires psychological and medical treatment. |
| Secker has also been subjected to numerous assaults while being held at a male prison, it was alleged. | Secker has also been subjected to numerous assaults while being held at a male prison, it was alleged. |
| As the defendant is biologically male, they will serve their sentence in a male prison. | As the defendant is biologically male, they will serve their sentence in a male prison. |
| The judge told Secker: "At the time of this offence, you were a man. | The judge told Secker: "At the time of this offence, you were a man. |
| "You identified as a man and you were, on the evidence, clearly attracted to women. | "You identified as a man and you were, on the evidence, clearly attracted to women. |
| "You were not disinhibited at the time by your conditions. | "You were not disinhibited at the time by your conditions. |
| "There is no evidence they were as present and compelling as they are now." | "There is no evidence they were as present and compelling as they are now." |
| Wiltshire Police previously said Secker was living as a man when the attack took place, on April 23 2023, but was tried as a woman at Swindon Crown Court. | Wiltshire Police previously said Secker was living as a man when the attack took place, on April 23 2023, but was tried as a woman at Swindon Crown Court. |
| The force confirmed that the rape was recorded as being committed by a man. | The force confirmed that the rape was recorded as being committed by a man. |
| The sex of a defendant recorded by police at the time of their arrest will mirror what is on court records and other criminal justice system data. | The sex of a defendant recorded by police at the time of their arrest will mirror what is on court records and other criminal justice system data. |
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