Transgender paedophile, 66, is spared jail after the case was delayed over discussions about whether the pervert should go to a male or female jail
Former prison worker Tanya Howes was found with indecent images of childrenA transgender paedophile caught in possession of indecent images of children has been spared jail after discussions over whether she should be housed in a male or female prison delayed her case.
Former prison worker Tanya Howes, 66, was told by magistrates that the offences 'would normally attract immediate custody' but they made the 'unusual' decision to suspend her 12-month jail term after the debate caused a 'time lag'.
Howes, who is identified in court documents as female and referred to in court by female pronouns, previously admitted three charges of possessing indecent images of children, including 39 of the most serious category A photographs, on February 19 2020.
David Campbell Bannerman, a Norfolk-based former Conservative MP slammed the decision as 'unduly lenient' - questioning the reason behind the suspended jail term.
He said: 'It seems unduly lenient. It's nothing to do with the person being transgender, it's the nature of the offences. It's surprisingly lenient and ought to be reviewed. It leaves a lot of questions unanswered.'
Transgender paedophile, 66, spared jail after case was delayed
Former prison worker Tanya Howes, 66, was told by magistrates that the offences 'would normally attract immediate custody' but they made the 'unusual' decision to suspend her jail term.www.dailymail.co.uk
Former prison worker Tanya Howes, 66, was caught in possession of indecent images of children
Despite admitting the charges, the former prison worker avoided jail and was given a suspended 12-month jail sentence for two years
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Possession of category A images usually results in between six months to three years in prison, but Howes case was adjourned following an application by Norfolk Probation Service for an extension to complete reports, which including being referred to the Transgender Case Board.
This monitoring system was introduced in 2017 to make decisions about the appropriate location and management of transgender prisoners, helping decide whether they should be placed in male or female prisons.
Earlier this year, new rules banned trans women convicted for violent and xesual crimes who still have male genitalia from serving sentences in female prisons.
The extra measure was introduced following the controversy surrounding Isla Bryson - a transwoman who was convicted for raping two women before transitioning to a man known as Adam Graham.
Initially, Bryson was set to be placed in segregation in Scotland's only all-female jail but it sparked backlash from the public and politicians, resulting in a change in rules.
Exemptions will only be made in the 'most exceptional' cases and with the approval of ministers, the government has said.
Those who cannot be safely accommodated in a men's prison can be imprisoned in a specialist unit.
Howes of Netherwood Green, Norwich, was sentenced to a total of 12 months' imprisonment, suspended for two years.
Avoiding jail, Howes was ordered to carry out up to 30 days Rehabilitation Activity Requirement (RAR), pay £145 costs and a £149 victim surcharge.
Ian Taylor, chair of the bench of magistrates, said: 'These offences would normally attract immediate custody.
'However, because of the time lag, no reoffending and because probation feel they can rehabilitate you it's going to be an unusual sentence because we're going to suspend the sentence.'
Mr Taylor added it did not detract from how serious these matters were with children being 'subjected to horrific acts'.
Damien Moore, mitigating, said: 'This case has attracted publicity that has inevitably had consequences for her in her personal life.
'It's very, very clear that she will forever more have to live with the shame and embarrassment that these offences bring upon someone'.
Mr Moore said Howes, who has no previous convictions, pleaded guilty at the first opportunity and had shown a 'high level of cooperation' to the probation service.
He added that at the time of these offences Howes was 'in a very dark place' but was now in a 'stable, loving relationship' and has the 'full support of her children'.
Howes was also ordered to carry out up to 30 days Rehabilitation Activity Requirement (RAR), pay £145 costs and a £149 victim surcharge.
She was also made the subject of a 10-year xesual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO) and put on the xes offenders register for 10 years.
Source:https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/ar...r-paedophile-66-spared-jail-case-delayed.html
