Five youths have been sentenced for a horrific transphobic attack on a transgender woman, who was lured to a roller disco before being brutally beaten, stabbed, and taunted. The brutal assault took place on February 10, 2023, in Harrow, north-west London, and has since been described as a “sickening” act motivated by a “distorted notion of revenge.”
The victim, a then 18-year-old woman, was subjected to nine knife wounds, as well as punches, kicks, and stamps while transphobic slurs were yelled at her. Despite the terrifying assault, she survived only thanks to the quick intervention of passers-by. However, she is still left dealing with severe physical and emotional trauma, including thick scars and panic attacks that have severely impacted her daily life.
The woman had been tricked into thinking she was attending a roller-skating event, where members of the group ambushed her. As she arrived at the car park, she was attacked with no warning or opportunity to defend herself. The assault lasted for about 45 seconds, with Betts-Ramsey, 20, stabbing her while the others punched and kicked her. When the group finished the attack, they fled, leaving the victim in a state of shock and terror.
During the trial, it was revealed that the attack was premeditated. The group had lured the woman to the location, disguised themselves with face coverings, and discussed using weapons. Following the assault, members of the group not only boasted about the violence but also posted footage of the attack on social media, further mocking their victim.
Summer Betts-Ramsey, who carried out the stabbing, was sentenced to eight-and-a-half years in youth detention, with at least four-and-a-half years to be served in custody. The judge described her as a “dangerous offender” and said she posed a risk to the public. Her co-defendants—Bradley Harris, Camron Osei, and Shiloh Hindes, all aged 18—were sentenced to three years in youth detention. A 17-year-old boy, whose identity remains protected, was handed a youth rehabilitation order.
The victim had been with Harris the month before the attack, where the pair shared a kiss and intimate encounter. When Harris later learned that the woman was transgender, he became upset and threatened her with a knife. This marked the beginning of a chain of events that led to the group’s decision to retaliate. The woman had denied the label, but upon feeling intimidated by Harris’s threat, she admitted her gender identity. This revelation seemed to trigger the attack.
During sentencing, His Honour Judge Philip Katz KC condemned the “abhorrent” nature of the crime, pointing to the group’s callousness in running away after the assault and leaving their victim to suffer. The judge emphasised the seriousness of kicking and stamping someone when they are helpless on the ground.
“This was a premeditated attack, motivated by revenge and directed at the victim because of her gender identity,” said Judge Katz. “The impact on the victim has been devastating, and the violence used could have easily led to death.”
In addition to the assault, the group’s behaviour after the incident was found to be equally disturbing. Betts-Ramsey, who stabbed the victim, received a message from a peer, which called the attack “disgusting,” to which she coldly responded: “IT deserved it.”
The victim, in her victim impact statement, described how the scars from the attack have made her fearful that she might not be able to continue her career as a model. She also said that she continues to struggle with sleep and suffers from the emotional scars of the violent assault.
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Detective Inspector Nicola Hannant, who led the investigation, expressed relief that the victim survived such a violent ordeal and praised her bravery throughout the investigation. “It was incredibly fortunate for all involved that the injuries were not more serious,” she said. “This case is a reminder of the dangers of hate-driven violence, and I hope the sentences handed down today bring some measure of justice to the victim and allow her to start rebuilding her life.”
The case has shocked many across the UK and prompted renewed calls to tackle transphobic violence, with a growing awareness of the need for greater protection of transgender people. The brutal attack has underlined the continued need for societal change and a strong message against discrimination and hate.
