A TRANSGENDER woman who groomed and raped a young girl in Wirral before transitioning has been jailed for 15 years

Former Wallasey man Anthony Peers sexually abused the girl over approximately a year and it came to light after she confided in a school friend.

Liverpool Crown Court heard that the victim has been badly affected by his appalling behaviour and her former outgoing personality has changed.

Jailing the defendant, who appeared in the dock sporting a moustache, Judge Katherine Pierpoint, said, “You groomed her so you could start to abuse her to fulfil your own sexual desires.”

She added: “You targeted a young female child for your own sexual gratification. The impact on her is untold. It was offending behaviour on numerous occasions which escalated over a period of time.”

The judge said she accepted Peers had struggled with gender identification issues throughout her life. 

“I appreciate as a transgender prisoner there are issues you will have to navigate during a lengthy prison sentence.”

Peers, now of Camberley Drive, Halewood, was convicted by a jury after a trial of eight sexual offences including rape and attempted rape.

She denied the offences during her trial and the court heard that she still denies them.

Michael Scholes, prosecuting, had told the court that 51-year-old Peers and the girl had shared a common interest in Star Wars and his grooming behaviour led onto her raping her and attempting to rape her.

She also encouraged the girl to abuse herself and her using a sex toy.

She eventually told a friend who told her mum and after the school were informed the police became involved.

In an impact statement her mum said that the victim has since shown signs of depression including neglecting her appearance.

Anthony O’Donohoe, defending, said that a custodial sentence was likely to be difficult for Peers.

Peers, who will have to serve two thirds of the custodial term before she can apply for parole, was given an extended one year licence. She has to sign on the Sex Offenders Register for life and an indefinite Sexual Harm Prevention Order was imposed.