Stephen Clarke

Silhouette image via Wikimedia Commons

Stephen/Steph Clarke, a violent male who identifies as a trans woman, was jailed for life in 1992 for the murder of his partner Christopher Vitel, 27, in Mansfield, Nottinghamshire in February 1991.

Mr Vitel’s body was found by his brother and Clarke, 24, was accused of killing him in order to fund a trip to the USA to see a former boyfriend. Clarke stabbed Mr Vitel 51 times before dumping his body in a wheelie bin. He then stole his victim’s car and sold it, before using Mr Vitel’s credit cards to fund an £8,000 spending spree in America. Clarke was arrested on his return to the UK.

The judge, Mr Justice Tucker, described Clarke as a ‘determined, ruthless and devious young man’.

In 2004, while in HMP Springhill – a male open prison at Grendon Underwood, Buckinghamshire – Clarke began identifying as a transgender woman and began receiving hormone treatment. Coverage from the time revealed Clarke was being allowed out on day release to work as a charity clerk in Aylesbury, where he dressed in women’s clothes and liked to be known as Steph.

Mr Vitel’s sister-in-law is quoted as saying ‘He snuffed out the life of one of the loveliest, most gentle people in the world. Christopher was completely innocent and didn’t deserve to die. Clarke took his life away, so why should he get any rights? The fact that he is due to be released is bad enough but this is just disgusting.’

A Prison Service spokeswoman said: ‘Prisoners requesting treatment to change their sex would be treated in line with NHS guidelines.’

Other examples of trans-identified males who have victimised gay and lesbian people are available here and here.

Other examples of trans-identified males who have transitioned in prison while serving long prison sentences for violent and/or sexually violent offences is available here

Press cutting image is from the Aberdeen Press and Journal on 19 March 1991

Media reports

Sunday Mercury (Birmingham) 03.10.2004 KILLER TO GET SEX SWAP OP ON THE NHS; Fury as murderer prepares to start life as a woman archive

Mansfield & Ashfield Chad 08.10.2004 Killer has a sex change archive