An assault victim told a Carlisle court he had lived through years of bullying linked to his transgender status.

In an emotionally charged statement, the man spoke of the profound impact of a common assault he suffered in Penrith at the hands of 19-year-old Benjamin Walker after he called him by his female birth name.

In court, Walker, of Wetheriggs Rise, Penrith, admitted common assault, aggravated by hostility based on the victim's transgender status.

The Rickergate court heard how the assault happened on December 18 last year after the teenager met the victim in Penrith during a night out.

The two knew each other at school and Walker was aware the man had gone through gender transition, the court heard.

John Moran, prosecuting, described how Walker, who had been drinking, began chatting with the man, and on at least a couple of occasions used his female birth name, despite being asked not to.

At one point, the man remonstrated with Walker, asking him if he was mad. The victim then described Walker running his hand up his arms, while singing a song entitled Sexual.

The man asked Walker to stop several times, said Mr Moran.

The victim later told police he felt the touching on his arm was done to provoke a reaction and that this behaviour was based on the defendant’s hostility towards his transgender status.

Walker said in court he had touched the man’s arm because he wanted to apologise for using his birth name

But in his victim impact statement, the man said he had struggled with living in such a small town and going through a gender transition. He was always wary of Walker because of his reputation for antisocial behaviour.

He said he no longer felt safe going out alone or even with his fiance as there was always a chance they would run into Walker or his pals.

The man said: “I've had trouble sleeping due to night terrors triggered because of the years of bullying I've lived through."

The lack of sleep left him physically and emotionally drained, he said.

“My family feel helpless as there is nothing they can do or say to change what's happened, nor change how it affects me."

The only positive thing that came out of the incident was that he had been able to keep his cool, but he added that after all his hard work what happened was frustrating and upsetting.

Mark Shepherd, for Walker, whose record includes convictions for battery, said the victim should be admired for his courage but the defendant was not responsible for all the man’s anxieties.

“This has quite clearly had a profound effect on him [the victim],” said Mr Shepherd. The lawyer said his client had behaved in a boorish way, and apologises for his actions.

District Judge Gerald Chalk imposed a 12 month community order, with a requirement to do 80 hours of unpaid work. Walker must also pay £150 compensation and £150 costs.

He said the sentence had been increased because the defendant had deliberately used his victim's birth name in order to cause embarrassment and he had known his touching of the man’s arm was unlawful and unwanted.