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Sentence uplift for ringleader of transphobic attack, as two are convicted and jailed (21 April 2017)

Date: 21/04/2017
Duncan Lewis, Crime Solicitors, Sentence uplift for ringleader of transphobic attack, as two are convicted and jailed

Aylesbury Crown Court has jailed two males who carried out a violent, transphobic robbery on a man in Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire.

The attack occurred on 25 July 2016, when the victim was approached by a group of males who verbally abused him for being transgender, assaulted him and stole his wallet and mobile phone.

The victim sustained serious injuries in the attack, including a fractured skull, a brain aneurysm and a puncture wound to his left cheek.

The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) prosecuted the case as a transphobic hate crime from the outset.

When the victim was unable to give evidence due to the physical and psychological effects of the assault, prosecutors successfully applied to have his police statement read out in court.

Upon conviction, the judge determined that the case should be sentenced as a hate crime and an uplift of six months was applied to the sentence of the ringleader of the attack.

Owen Wise from Aylesbury – who was aged just 16 at the time of the incident – was named in court after the judge decided to lift reporting restrictions. Usually defendants under the age of 18 cannot be named because of their age.

The court heard that Wise had acted as the ringleader – he pleaded guilty to robbery and possession of a bladed article, but denied targeting the victim due to vulnerability and claimed to have hit him only once.

On Tuesday, 18 April, Wise – now aged 17 – was sentenced at Aylesbury Crown Court to five years and ten months in jail, including the six-month uplift in the sentence for the hate-fuelled nature of the offences.

The judge praised CPS advocate Nigel Ogborne for his assistance in ensuring that Wise's sentence was extended.

Michael Thorpe, 21, from Aylesbury did not use any violence during the incident – but was part of the group when the robbery took place.

Thorpe admitted stealing the victim's mobile phone during the robbery and pleaded guilty to theft. He was sentenced to two years’ and three months' imprisonment.

After sentencing, Kaviraj Choolun from the CPS said:

“Tackling hate crime is a priority for the CPS – and offenders can expect to have their sentences increased.

“I hope this successful prosecution and today's sentences will encourage victims to come forward.

“We work closely with our partners – as we did with Thames Valley police in this case – to ensure that criminals motivated by hate feel the full force of the law.

“We hope that the victim – who has shown great courage throughout this process – continues with his recovery. Our thoughts are with him at this time.”


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