Transgender rape victim relieved at having allegations investigated (From The Northern Echo)

Middlesbrough transgender rape victim relieved at having allegations against notorious killer Robert Black investigated

4:07pm Wednesday 9th January 2013 in News By Joanna Morris

A TRANSGENDER rape victim who claims she was raped by a notorious child killer has spoken of her relief over finally having her allegations investigated.

Stephanie Elliott Lowther, 46, who was brutally raped as a teenager, believes serial killer Robert Black was responsible for the attack.

Ms Lowther, who was a 15-year-old boy named Steve Billon at the time of the incident, was hitchhiking after running away from home when she was picked up in Manchester by a Scottish lorry driver who subjected her to a “prolonged sex attack”.

Greater Manchester Police have confirmed they are now investigating the attack. Ms Lowther, from Middlesbrough, said: “I am pleased the police are looking into this as I know deep down it was Black but it would help to close so many emotional doors if that could be proven.”

She added: “I will never understand why what happened to me did and I have lost many years in dysfunction because of it all…somewhere in my mind I have forgiven the man who raped me as to do otherwise would fill me with so much negativity that I don’t think I would be able to find a way out of it.”

A spokesman from Greater Manchester Police said: “Greater Manchester Police has received a report of an alleged historic sexual assault from the 1980s.

“Speciality trained officers have been speaking to the victim and the investigation is on-going.”