Transgender woman GUILTY of raping two ‘vulnerable’ mums with ‘her penis’
A TRANSGENDER woman has been found guilty of raping two ‘vulnerable’ mums with ‘her penis’.
Isla Bryson – formerly known by her ‘dead name’ Adam Graham – was convicted of two rapes after a five-day trial at the High Court in Glasgow.
Bryson admitted having sex with both women three years apart at properties in Clydebank in 2016 and in Drumchapel, Glasgow, in 2019.
The 31-year-old gave evidence in her own defence during the trial, claiming she had consensual sex with the women, who can’t be named for legal reasons.
But a jury didn’t believe her version of events and returned a guilty verdict.
In his closing speech to the jury, Prosecutor John Keenen KC branded Bryson’s claims of consent as “incredible” and “unreliable” as he urged the jury to find the accused guilty of both charges.
He said Bryson’s account “was in stark contrast” to the detailed version of events given by both complainers, aged 30 and 34.
He said: “When you examine the accused’s version of events, it’s lacking any real details of how these supposed sexual encounters actually occurred.”
He went on to say Bryson’s testimony in the witness box was “long and rambling” while both women gave the court “credible” accounts.
The advocate depute added: “Reject the accused’s account as entirely incredible and unreliable.
“Both complainers gave strong and reliable evidence that should lead you to the conclusion that the accused is guilty of both charges.”
Edward Targowski KC, defending, urged the jury to acquit his client and said this was not a case of a “predatory man” preying on vulnerable women, as the Crown suggested.
He said: “What you have is not a course of action that the advocate depute would have you believe.
“Isla Bryson gave her account as best she could about her position, about her life and what happened to her on both occasions.
“It’s not a straightforward case as the Crown would make out of women being preyed on by a man.
“I would ask you to take your time in this case and really consider the evidence and consider Isla Bryson’s evidence and give her credit.”
We told how earlier in the trial how the court was told Bryson had a tattoo on her face like boxer Mike Tyson.
Family of one alleged victim spoke of the claimed inking on the accused who they knew as Adam Graham.
Asked by Mr Keenan KC to describe the accused’s appearance in 2016, the woman’s sister said: “His head was bald. He had a Mike Tyson tattoo on the side of his face. He was stocky, but not overly.”
The witness told the court that her sibling confided in her days after an alleged incident in Clydebank.
Under questioning by Mr Targowski KC, defending, Bryson said: “I would never hurt any woman.”
Bryson – who the court heard began transitioning in 2020 – was convicted of raping the mum in 2016 and another woman, 34, in Glasgow in 2019 with “her penis”.
Earlier in the trial Mr Keenan read out a joint minute to the jury stating that Bryson’s “dead name” was Adam Graham.
The note of agreed facts explains this is the name “a transgender person was given at birth and no longer uses upon transitioning”.
Judge Lord Scott called for reports and deferred sentence.
Judge Lord Scott said: “Ms Bryson, you have been convicted of two extremely serious charges, this being charges of rape.
“A significant custodial sentence is inevitable.”
Bryson was placed on the sex offenders register.
She was remanded in custody and sentence deferred until February 28 for reports.
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