Scottish woman assaulted and hit over head with bottle in transphobic attack
| Author | Robbie Chalmers |
| Published date | 28 June 2022 |
| Publication title | EdinburghLive (Scotland) |
The incident is understood to have taken place in Dunfermline in February 2019 with Ceiryn Meade, 22, and Mark Jeffrey, 33, named as the culprits.
They are understood to have threatened the woman saying they would "kill" her because they "would not accept transgender individuals" in their Fife town, the Daily Record reports.
Last week, Dunfermline Sheriff Court heard Meade and Jeffrey admitted to acting together to violently assault Perth based Aria, and striking her on the head with a bottle.
The court also heard that the pair continued their assault after the woman had fallen to the floor as they punched, kicked and stamped all over her head and body.
She was left covered in blood on the concrete floor of a block of flats in Dunfermline.
Sheriff Susan Duff acknowledged they had been motivated by transgender prejudice.
Meade and Jeffrey both avoided prison sentences and were each told to carry out unpaid work of 135 and 216 hours respectively, as well as being handed restriction of liberty and supervision orders.
But Aria, a former Miss Transgender UK 2019, says the impact on her life has been profound.
Speaking to PA, Aria, originally from Crieff, said the attack left her with brain damage, borderline personality disorder, severe anxiety, PTSD and a severely damaged nose - which causes her sleepless nights.
"I don't remember some of the things that happened to me," she said.
"I am on heavy medication for my anxiety. I need them otherwise I don't want to leave the house.
"I don't go anywhere without my fiancé, Peter.
"The doctors said I would have one procedure with a plastic surgeon to fix the structural damage to my nose and rebuild the cartilage but I have to go in a third time because it is still not fixed.
"I have bad trouble sleeping because of it. I lie wide awake because when I am lying down I cannot breathe.
"I was an independent person and my confidence has been knocked for six.
"I had to cancel shows and a tour after I got jumped, and I had to drop out of the Perthshire Pride board.
"It has taken up my...
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