A trans woman has avoided punishment for assaulting her partner after hormone treatment led to “stresses” in their relationship.
Ryan Paterson, 29, grabbed her partner by the neck at an address in Aberdeen on March 11, earlier this year.
It was sparked by a row about alcohol consumption but occurred while both of them were transitioning from male to female.
Paterson, of Manse Road, Udny Green, Ellon, previously pled guilty to a domestically aggravated charge of assault to injury.
But her sentencing had been deferred to allow Patterson to prove that she could behave herself for several months.
Fiscal depute Tom Procter confirmed to Aberdeen Sheriff Court that Paterson had been of good behaviour since the previous hearing almost six months ago.
Sheriff Ian Wallace admonished her, meaning the conviction goes on her criminal record without being given any kind of penalty.
‘Grabbed with both hands to the neck’
At the earlier hearing in the case, fiscal depute Lewis Devoy told the 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.”
The police were then contacted.
‘Fairly toxic relationship’
Mr Devoy added that the victim was not supportive of the proceedings and did not want a non-harassment order to be imposed.
Paterson’s defence solicitor 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 a lack of available psychological and mental health support during Coronavirus lockdowns.
Mr Mcallister explained that, while their relationship had a “pattern of back and forth” and a “toxic element”, the pair has 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.”
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