A DEFENDANT transitioning to become a man risked missing the last phase of that process following a conviction for assaults on a female partner.

But a judge took, “an exceptional course” at Durham Crown Court and spared Nicholas Rose an immediate prison sentence, which will allow him to undergo the final surgery to complete the gender reassignment procedure later this year.

The court heard that during the course of six months last year, while receiving testosterone as part of the transitioning process, Rose assaulted his fearful partner on at least five occasions.

Jonathan Gittins, prosecuting, said the assaults included several incidents of strangulation, dragging his partner by the hair and pulling out clumps of hair, to the banging of her head on the floor.

Most of the violence arose out of angry outbursts after Rose complained to his partner about completing household chores.

Following the final attack, after his partner threatened to leave their home on August 22, when Rose lunged at her and thrust her head into a mirror, splitting her lip, the victim managed to ring police despite again being choked by the defendant as she made the call.

Rose was arrested the following day and told police he was in a bad mood amid an argument over household chores.

But he claimed the victim was, “eight out of ten” drunk and her dog attacked him.

In interview ha claimed much of what she was alleging was lies, although he conceded having his hands round her throat as she was on the phone to police.

Rose, 24, of Church Street, Shildon, denied three counts of assault causing actual bodily harm and two of assaulting by beating.

But he was found guilty on all five counts after a recent trial before magistrates, who sent the case to be sentenced at the crown court.

The sentencing hearing was told that the victim has since suffered flashbacks and is undergoing counselling following her ordeal.

She said she even went to the extreme of shaving off her hair to prevent the defendant grabbing it and dragging her by it, during the course of the offending last year.

Ashleigh Leach, for Rose, who has no previous convictions, said he is female to male transgender and is due to have surgery to fully transition later in the year.

Read more: Inmate admits assault and threats to prison staff

“Mr Rose did dispute the facts at trial and wasn’t believed.

“He does maintain there were verbal arguments and, other than lunging once at her, he claimed she was making it up.

“What is clear is that this was a wholly toxic relationship by all accounts.”

Miss Leach said it has been a “difficult time” for her client while transitioning and receiving testosterone to assist in the procedure, and an immediate prison sentence would delay the process.

Recorder Ben Nolan told Rose: “By rights you should be getting a significant period in prison.

“But I’m concerned how you would cope with such a period of imprisonment and I take the view you would be a potential victim while in prison.”

He agreed that the use of testosterone while undergoing the transition may have played, “a significant part” in affecting the defendant’s behaviour.

Taking what he described as, “an exceptional course”, he imposed a two-year prison sentence, but suspended it for two years, during which Rose must undergo up to 30 probation rehabilitation activity sessions.

He also made rose subject of a restraining order forbidding him contacting or approaching his victim for five years.

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