Guilty verdict delivered in rape trial

Friday 28 July 2023

A 19-year-old transgender woman has been found guilty of a rape committed while they were a biological male following a three-day trial in Guernsey’s Royal Court.

Jurats took around an hour to unanimously find that Freddie Christian Trenchard, who is now known as Alyssa Christine Trenchard, had non-consensual sexual intercourse with a younger female.

Prosecuting Advocate Phoebe Cobb said Trenchard was a biological male at the time of the offence some years ago.

The police were notified six months after the incident, with the reasons for the delayed allegation explained to the jurats. Trenchard was then interviewed voluntarily while under caution.

Trenchard denied the rape allegation.

Pictured: The trial was heard in the Royal Court.

Advocate Oliver Fattorini, defending, said the only available evidence that the offence occurred was the word of the complainant.

He claimed that transphobia had led the complainant to lie about the offence.

Advocate Cobb said the complainant had testified that she wouldn’t put someone through the criminal justice system based solely on how they identify. Trenchard’s timelines also didn’t match other evidence provided by witnesses, the court was told.

Trenchard was found guilty of rape and remains on unconditional bail. A sentencing date is yet to be set.

A sexual offences notification order was also made. A social inquiry report is now being prepared ahead of sentencing.