A transgender paedophile has been spared jail after conversations about whether they should be housed in a male or female prison delayed the case.
Tanya Howes, who was caught in possession of indecent images of children, was told by magistrates that the offences "would normally attract immediate custody", however they made the "unusual" decision to suspend her 12-month jail term.
A debate over where to house the former prison worker caused a "time lag".
Howes, 66 previously admitted three charges of possessing indecent images of children, including 39 of the most serious category A photographs, on February 19, 2020.
Tanya Howes previously admitted three charges of possessing indecent images of children, including 39 of the most serious category A photographs, on February 19, 2020
PA
Former Tory MEP, David Campbell Bannerman, who is based in Norfolk, described the decision as "unduly lenient" as he raises concerns about the reason behind the suspended jail term.
"It seems unduly lenient. It's nothing to do with the person being transgender, it's the nature of the offences," he told the Daily Mail.
"It's surprisingly lenient and ought to be reviewed. It leaves a lot of questions unanswered."
Usually, possession of category A images mean offenders will serve 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.
The monitoring system was launched in 2017 to help decide on appropriate locations and the management of transgender prisoners.
Earlier this year, new rules banned trans women convicted for violent and sexual crimes who still have male genitalia from serving sentences in female prisons.
It comes after Isla Bryson - a trans woman who was convicted of rape before transitioning - was set to be placed in segregation in Scotland's only all-female jail.
The Government said exemptions will only be made in the "most exceptional" cases and with the approval of ministers.
Isla Bryson - a transwoman who was convicted of raping two women before transitioning to a man known as Adam Graham - was set to be placed in segregation in Scotland's only all-female jail
PA
Howes from Norwich was sentenced to a total of 12 months' imprisonment, suspended for two years.
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."
He added it did not detract from how serious these matters were with children being "subjected to horrific acts".
