A woman who was stabbed in a transphobic attack planned on Snapchat is still living “in fear”, a court has been told.
The woman, 18, who is transgender and has not been named, was set upon by a mask-wearing group who invited her to a roller disco in an elaborate “ruse”.
The attackers turned on her after one of the group who had a sexual relationship with her was told she was transgender, the sentencing hearing heard.
Other members of the group created a plan to “beat her up” in Harrow, northwest London, the court was told.
Summer Betts-Ramsey, 20, Bradley Harris, 18, Camron Osei, 18, Shiloh Hindes, 18, and a 17-year-old boy admitted causing grievous bodily harm with intent.
Betts-Ramsey also admitted possession of a knife, and a 17-year-old girl has admitted robbery involving the woman’s handbag after the attack, and possession of a class B drug.
Speaking during the sentencing hearing, the woman said she now finds it “difficult to trust people” and has “thick scars” as a result of the attack.
In a victim impact statement read to court, she added: “I’m always in fear of leaving my house.
“I never thought someone could have so much hatred towards me.”
‘I’ll stab you if you lie’
In January 2024, the woman was with Harris at his house when a mutual friend called to tell Harris she was “trans”.
Prosecutor Deanna Heer KC told the Old Bailey that “having been attacked in the past because of her transgender identity”, the woman denied it when asked.
Afterward, she and Harris kissed and she performed oral sex on him, the court heard.
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However, another friend later told Harris the woman was transgender, the prosecutor said.
She denied it again, but when Harris picked up a knife and said: “I’ll stab you if you lie,” she admitted she was transgender and Harris told her to leave, the court heard.
Ms Heer said when Harris told the group they turned on her and on a Snapchat group chat they began arguing, belittling her and planning “a ruse” to attack her.
The court heard that further phone evidence revealed Betts-Ramsey told someone: “I have to go to Harrow to beat up some… a f****** t****y bro.”
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Roller-skating
On 10 February, the woman thought she was going roller-skating with the group, the court heard.
Dressed in dark clothing with masks and hoods, the group was said to have waited for her at a bus stop.
Once in a nearby car park, she was “immediately attacked”, the court was told.
Betts-Ramsey took out a knife when the woman was on the ground and stabbed toward her at least 14 times.
The others continued to attack her for about 45 seconds before some of them left.
Members of the public helped the woman and an ambulance was called.
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Ms Heer told the court that members of the group later bragged about the assault, even posting footage on social media.
That night, a message was sent to Betts-Ramsey which said: “stabbing a girl cus she’s trans… its disgusting”, and she replied: “IT deserved it”.
The sentencing hearing continues on Thursday.
