Trans Woman Ciara Watkin Faces Sexual Assault Trial for Concealing Genitalia in Thornaby

Ciara Watkin, a 21-year-old transgender woman, is on trial at Teesside Crown Court accused of sexual assault after allegedly concealing her male genitalia during a night with a man she met on Snapchat. The prosecution alleges that Watkin performed sex acts on the man while pretending to be on her period to prevent him from touching below her waist and only revealed her transgender status after the encounter. The alleged victim stated he would not have consented to the sexual activity had he known Watkin was transgender, saying he "doesn't swing that way" and describing feeling emotionally upset after the revelation. Watkin denies two counts of sexual assault and one count of sexual assault by penetration. The court heard that Watkin's Snapchat profile used a female avatar and that there was no prior discussion about gender or sexuality between the two. When arrested, Watkin admitted to having sex with the man without disclosing her gender but denied any wrongdoing.