Blade Silvano, 41, met the victim, a mother of small children, on the online dating site Plenty of Fish in November 2016 and they got engaged as man and woman, Cambridge crown court heard.
She was found guilty in May of two counts of assault by penetration, and was sentenced yesterday for what the judge insisted was not a case of “gender dysphoria” or “anyone’s sexuality”, but about “deception, skilfully carried out and maliciously maintained”.
Using a fake name, Blade Mendez, Silvano presented herself as a man throughout a two-year relationship with the victim. She would send the victim photos of herself shaving her face and would pretend to urinate standing up.
When she and the complainant were intimate, in December 2016 and February 2017, Silvano refused to be seen naked, wearing a long-sleeved top and pulling her jeans down only slightly, before turning away to pretend to put on a condom, Mr Justice Philip Grey said yesterday.
This story is from the December 21, 2023 edition of The Guardian.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the December 21, 2023 edition of The Guardian.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
Arsenal hold Rosicky talks over sporting director role
Tomas Rosicky is a leading contender to become Arsenal's sporting director, although any return to his former club would probably be put on hold until the end of the season.
United Ponder January Sales Club Open to Mainoo and Højlund Offers
Manchester United will listen to serious offers for any of Ruben Amorim's squad, including Kobbie Mainoo, Alejandro Garnacho and Rasmus Højlund, who were previously deemed untouchable.
Cunha ban cut for offering to buy victim new glasses
Matheus Cunha had a ban for scuffling with an Ipswich staff member reduced after the Wolves forward offered to buy the man a new pair of glasses.
Isak and Gordon pounce to put Newcastle firmly in driving seat
The irony will surely not be lost on Mikel Arteta. On a night when his side were hoping to put one foot in the Carabao Cup final, it was Alexander Isak - a striker that the Arsenal manager has long coveted - who did the damage as Newcastle secured a famous victory.
Liverpool have not stolen a single point, claims Slot
Arne Slot believes Liverpool have shown they possess the quality and depth to sustain a quadruple challenge and avoid the tail-off that Jürgen Klopp's side had last season.
Postecoglou backs Son and says even Salah would struggle at Spurs
Manager points to lack of creativity in team as reason for South Korean's poor form
Tesla, Twitter ... and the Reds? Musk eyes deal
The father of the world's richest man, Elon Musk, claims his son would be interested in buying Liverpool.
Transfer roundup Palace and Ipswich battle for £20m Doak
Crystal Palace and Ipswich are set to test Liverpool's resolve to keep Ben Doak by making improved bids worth £20m for the Scotland forward.
Everton owners right to be looking at manager options, says Dyche
Sean Dyche has said Everton's new owners should be exploring managerial options because he has not won enough games this season to keep the pressure off.
Lopetegui in limbo as Potter demand stalls Hammers deal
Julen Lopetegui is in limbo after West Ham's move to replace their manager stalled over Graham Potter's demand for a two-and-a-half-year contract.
