• 7 years ago
• Posted in:Rape / Sexual Assault, Sexual Offences
• 0
• Author: melodie
• Tags: Aged 60-69, Community order, Complainant compelled to use defendant pronouns, Convicted 2017, Delivery/bus driver, Employment terminated, Get Out Of Jail Free card, Gwynedd, Lenient sentence, Louise Croft, Male victim, No jail, Offended 2017, Post-transition, Self-represented in court, Taxi/bus driver victim, Trans woman, Victim impact statement, Wales

Louise Emma Croft, a violent male who identifies as a trans woman, was convicted at Caernarfon Magistrates’ Court in April 2017, of sexually assaulting a male colleague. 

Croft, 60, was given a two year community order at Caernafon Crown Court in May 2017 and must also carry out 100 hours of unpaid community work and pay £735 costs.

Troublingly, the complainant felt impelled to name the defendant as a woman, and referred to Croft using female pronouns in his testimony, telling magistrates he was shocked and horrified by the incident: “She came into the room and towards me and, as she neared, went for my private parts. I didn’t expect it and I wouldn’t dream of doing anything like it. It has caused me much anguish.”

Croft did not appoint legal representation but was not permitted to cross examine the witness; the court appointed solicitor  asked questions on the defendant’s behalf.

The defendant’s employer in Bangor, Arriva, terminated Croft’s employment following the attack. Croft reportedly transitioned in 2006 when a driver for the Padarn Bus company.

Photo via Daily Post

Media reports

Daily Post http://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/bus-driver-who-grabbed-colleague-13074634  archive

Daily Post http://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/bus-driver-who-grabbed-colleague-12962309

Route One http://www.route-one.net/articles/Legal/Bus_driver_who__grabbed__man_sentenced