Woman ordered to pay compensation over ‘horrific’ transphobic messages
A woman admitted to sending transphobic messages (Getty Images, stock)
A woman in Scotland has been ordered to pay compensation after admitting sending a series of “horrific” transphobic messages to a trans woman.
Lyndsey Peebles, 67, pleaded guilty to sending messages of a “grossly offensive, indecent, obscene or menacing character” between 29 September and 20 October last year.
Court papers said the messages concerned the victim’s gender and were sent to cause distress, with the charge aggravated by prejudice relating to transgender identity, as reported by The National.
Appearing at Greenock Sheriff Court for sentencing this week, Peebles was told by Sheriff James Varney that, in a social work report, she had indicated she “did not think the individual could have been hurt by the comments”, remarks he described as “horrific”.
Her solicitor said Peebles’ judgement had been “clouded” by “serious issues” at the time, which she had since addressed, adding that she was “truly ashamed” and had “never been in any form of bother before”.
Sheriff Varney told her: “Be under no illusion, this is a hate crime you have pled guilty to,” adding that the comments had “no place in society”.
Peebles, of Port Bannatyne on the Isle of Bute, was ordered to pay £500 in compensation and made subject to a non-harassment order banning her from contacting the complainer for 18 months.
Share your thoughts! Let us know in the comments below, and remember to keep the conversation respectful.
