- Scarlet Blake, a trans woman, was called a woman throughout her trial
- But she has been sent to a male prison following her murder conviction
Transgender women criminals must be regarded as men if they have not legally changed their gender, Number 10 has said.
This comes after it emerged that the crimes of Scarlet Blake – sentenced to life on Monday for the murder of Jorge Carreno in Oxford after previously killing a cat – will be officially recorded as having been committed by a woman.
The case has sparked a major row, with author JK Rowling, former ministers and lawyers among those to criticise reports that referred to the killer as a woman without explaining she is transgender.
The Prime Minister’s spokesman said: ‘The PM has been really clear on this issue. And the definition of a woman is the biological sex and that biological sex matters. So it is important that we take that approach to these issues.’
Scarlet Blake, 26, (pictured, left) who was born biologically male but identifies as a woman, was jailed for a minimum of 24 years for the murder of Spanish engineer Jorge Carreno (pictured, right)
Currently forces can record birth sex in crime counting but this is voluntary and it is the preferred gender of the detainee that is always recorded
It continued: ‘Police forces should follow the College of Policing guidance that a person’s gender is that which was registered at birth unless they have been issued with a gender recognition certificate under the Gender Recognition Act.
‘Case sets dangerous precedent.’
Currently forces can record birth sex in crime counting but this is voluntary and it is the preferred gender of the detainee that is always recorded.
Thames Valley police and crime commissioner Matthew Barber to call for a change in the law that would make it mandatory for officers to record the birth sex of detainees in the custody record.
Blake has been sent to a Category A male prison but was referred to as a woman during her trial, in accordance with judiciary guidelines.
Mr Barber said it was right that Blake was sent to a male prison but it was vital to update the Police and Criminal Evidence Act (PACE) to ensure criminals are recorded under the sex they were assigned at birth as well their preferred gender.
Author JK Rowling also weighed in: ‘Crime statistics are rendered useless if violent and sexual attacks committed by men are recorded as female crimes.’
The PCC has previously criticised his force for referring to transgender Osareen Omoruyi, charged with two counts of sexual assault on a child, as a woman in a press release.
Blake has been sent to a Category A male prison but was referred to as a woman during her trial
Police Sex Equality and Equity Network (SEEN), a gender-critical group of female police officers said: ‘We are sad to read that the murder of Jorge Martin Carreno [by Blake] has been overshadowed by the inaccurate recording of the offender’s sex.
‘We offer our condolences to the family and friends of Mr Carreno and we are deeply sorry if they have been caused further pain and distress by the error.
‘It is a matter of fact that humans cannot change sex and that Scarlet Blake is male.
‘We strongly encourage UK police forces to uphold the principles of integrity and transparency and return to accurate crime recording. We must strive to restore the trust of the public and victims of crime and to preserve accurate records for future generations.’
A Thames Valley Police spokesman said: ‘Scarlet Blake’s gender did not form any part of the prosecution case, which was also highlighted by the judge presiding over the case.
‘Thames Valley Police adheres to the law and codes of practice, outlined by the Equality Act 2010, and the Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984 Code C when establishing and recording the gender of a person in our custody.’
