A ‘sinister’ transgender pervert raped and abused an 11-year-old schoolgirl after bonding with her over Star Wars.
Support worker Aria Peers, 51, carried out the sickening campaign of abuse when the paedophile identified as a man.
Peers had groomed the girl over their shared interest in Star Wars before carrying out the vile abuse in which the monster touched the girl’s breasts and genitals, before encouraging her to use a sex toy.
Peers had denied the allegations but a jury saw through the monster’s lies to convict the paedophile on two counts of rape, attempted rape three charges of sexual assault and two offences of inciting a child to engage in sexual activity.
She yesterday appeared in the dock at Liverpool Crown Court wearing a grey prison issue jumper and was jailed for 15 years as a judge told Peers: ‘You targeted a young female child for your own sexual gratification. The impact on her is untold.’
The brave schoolgirl was commended by the judge for ‘standing up’ to Peers when she confided in her friends and teachers about the abuse she had suffered.
Peers, of Camberley Drive in Halewood, identified as male when the offences were committed in Wirral, but now identifies as female.
Support worker Aria Peers, 51, identified as a man when she raped and abused an 11-year-old schoolgirl
Anthony O’Donohoe, defending, told the court: ‘There is nothing I can say about the facts of the case.
‘The defendant accepts that a significant, lengthy custodial sentence is inevitable in this case.
‘The defendant has settled on the wing that she is on, and that is encouraging. That was a matter of some concern.
‘The custodial experience for her in her particular circumstances is likely to be more difficult to navigate than in other, more usual, cases.’
Peers, who has no previous convictions, must serve at least two thirds before becoming eligible for release. Peers was also handed an additional year on licence.
Sentencing, Judge Katherine Pierpoint said: ‘I accept that, in this case, there is an element of grooming with the close bond that you developed and took advantage of.
‘It became more sinister, with you grooming her so that you could start to abuse her. You took the opportunity to fulfil your own sexual desires.
‘You were disbelieved by the jury and convicted. You still deny these matters today. She is a brave young woman who, by coming forward, has stood up to you. I hope that, with the support of her family, she will be able to move on with her life.
She appeared in the dock at Liverpool Crown Court wearing a grey prison issue jumper and was jailed for 15 years
‘Prior to this, you worked as a support worker for a number of years. You have suffered with periods of anxiety and depression and have struggled with your gender identity throughout your life.
‘I appreciate that, as a transgender prisoner, there will be issues which you will have to navigate during the very long period of your sentence.
‘You targeted a young female child for your own sexual gratification. The impact on her is untold. This was offending behaviour on numerous occasions over a period of time.’
Peers was also handed an indefinite sexual harm prevention order and a lifelong restraining order and will be required to sign the sex offenders’ register for life.
