A transgender prisoner has been ordered to serve her sentence
in a men's prison, not on home detention as requested.
Glen Cooper was sentenced to two years and one month in jail
after she earlier pleaded guilty to a charge of wounding with
intent to injure on January 17 this year.
In the Whangarei District Court today Judge Duncan Harvey
gave Cooper a 15 per cent sentencing reduction in recognition
of the difficulties she would have in serving her time in a
men's prison.
She was also given a 15 per cent reduction for the early
guilty plea.
Lawyer Kelly Ellis had, at a sentence indication hearing,
appealed to Judge Harvey to consider a sentence less than two
years that would enable Cooper to serve her time on home
detention.
Ms Ellis submitted if Cooper went to jail in a men's prison,
she would be in significant danger and at great risk of
abuse.
Transgender is a recognised medical condition, which can
require a variety of treatment options.
A transgender woman is a person born male who has gone
through, or is in the process of, transition or gender
change.
Cooper has been on remand at a men's prison while awaiting
sentencing.
A police report said Cooper had been drinking with others at
a Whangarei home when an argument erupted between her and
another man.
Cooper punched the man in the face causing him to fall off a
chair and then threw various things at him, including cups.
When the man got to his feet, Cooper hit him over the head
with an unopened bottle of sparkling wine.
Ms Ellis said that was done as the man tried to punch Cooper.
The man suffered two cuts to his head, which needed stitches,
and an artery in his leg was cut.
- The Northern Advocate
