A trans rapist who committed a sexual offence as a man but now identifies as a woman has been jailed in a male prison.
Lexi Secker, born Alexander Secker, was living as a man when he raped a woman after a night out in Blunsdon, Wiltshire, in April 2023.
Despite being tried as a woman at Swindon Crown Court - where barristers and the judge referred to the defendant as "Ms Secker" and "she" throughout the sentencing hearing - Wiltshire Police confirmed that the rape was recorded as having been committed by a man.
It is understood that the sex of a defendant recorded by the police is used throughout the stages of the criminal justice system.
Swindon Crown Court, WiltshirePAThis means the sex first recorded by police will mirror what is on court records and in criminal justice data relating to charges, offences and convictions.
Secker had been convicted of one count of rape following a four-day trial at the same crown court in June - and today, Judge Jason Taylor KC jailed the rapist, who had no previous convictions, to six and a half years in a male prison.
Sentencing, Taylor said: "I am sure you hatched a plan to be alone with her. You suggested you take her for a walk under the pretence of sobering up. You took her to a secluded spot in the woods."
He described how the defendant was "focused on your own sexual gratification" when the attack took place.
Throughout the trial, Secker claimed the incident was "consensual intercourse" initiated by the victim, the judge said.
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Wiltshire Police confirmed that the rape was recorded as having been committed by a man (file photo)
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The court heard Secker, of Lowbourne, near Melksham, Wiltshire, has depression and gender dysphoria and requires psychological and medical treatment.
Secker has been subjected to numerous assaults while being held at a male prison, it was alleged.
But the judge said he was sentencing Secker "with regard to how difficult a prison sentence in a male institution will be for you".
Judge Taylor told Secker: "You now identify as a woman and are attracted to men.
"At the time of this offence, you were a man. You identified as a man and you were, on the evidence, clearly attracted to women.
Secker, who appeared via video link from HMP Bristol (pictured), wept as the sentence was passed
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"You were able to exercise judgment, make rational choices and understood the nature and consequences of your actions.
"You were not disinhibited at the time by your conditions. There is no evidence they were as present and compelling as they are now."
In a victim personal statement, the woman raped by Secker used the name "Alex" to describe the defendant.
She said: "He took away my trust in people and myself. The assault consumed me with shame and fear."
The woman, who attended court in person to see Secker sentenced, said she had experienced "unbearable anxiety, shame and fear" since the attack.
Secker, who appeared via video link from HMP Bristol, wept as the sentence was passed. He will remain on the Sex Offenders' Register indefinitely.