A trans woman assaulted her partner after hormone treatment led to “stresses” in their relationship, a court has been told.
Ryan Paterson, 28, grabbed her partner by the neck at an address in Aberdeen.
The incident was sparked by a row about alcohol consumption but came against a backdrop of both parties transitioning from male to female.
Fiscal depute Lewis Devoy told Aberdeen Sheriff Court: “The complainer and accused were in a relationship for approximately a year-and-a-half.
“They were residing together at the complainer’s address.
“Around 6pm on Friday, March 11, they were in the locus and there had been an argument over an unrelated matter about alcohol consumption.
“At this point, the accused has leaned over and grabbed the complainer with both hands to the neck and pushed them to the floor.”
Police were then contacted.
Lack of mental health support
Mr Devoy added that the complainer was not supportive of the proceedings and did not want a non-harassment order to be imposed.
Paterson, of Manse Road, Udny Green, Ellon, pled guilty to a domestically aggravated charge of assault to injury.
Defence agent Liam Mcallister said: “Ryan Paterson and the complainer were in a relationship for over a year and it was a fairly toxic relationship.
“Both were transitioning in terms of male to female through the use of hormonal treatments and clearly that can be a significant psychological, physical and emotional journey to go on.
“It caused significant stresses in the relationship.”
He said both parties had suffered from lack of available psychological and mental health support during lockdown.
Mr Mcallister explained that, while their relationship had had a “pattern of back and forth” and a “toxic element”, the pair had now “reconciled”.
He added: “They are simply friends and wish to continue a friendship moving forward.
“I’d be very surprised if my client troubled the court again.”
Sheriff Nigel Cooke deferred sentence for six months for Paterson to be of good behaviour, advising that if Paterson behaved she could expect to be admonished and not face any further punishment.
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