A TRANSITIONING sex offender who blamed her male “alter ego” for having a secret stash of sickening images that depicted rape and child abuse pleaded with a judge to let her stay in prison.

Jasmine Challands, 46, wept as a Recorder at Carlisle Crown Court imposed a jail term short enough to enable her almost immediate release.

At earlier court hearings, the defendant, of Warwick Road, Carlisle, had pleaded guilty to possessing child abuse images – described in court as 85 cartoons rather than photos; and extreme images depicting rapes.

Challands also admitted breaching a Sexual Harm Prevention Order which was supposed to prevent her from possessing any USB device capable of storing digital images.

Gerard Rogerson, prosecuting, said that court order was imposed in 2019 for earlier offending but on March 16 her offender manager visited her at her home to check that she was complying with the various conditions.

The visit led to police discovering that Challands had hidden two USB devices in a box of Lego. “They were concealed within the wheel of Lego bricks,” said Mr Rogerson. The illegal images were stored on those two devices and had been quite difficult to find, said the prosecutor. 

When she was interviewed by police officers, Challands confirmed that she understood her sexual harm prevention order but said the USB devices belonged to ‘Peter” and she was called Jasmine.

"Peter was responsible for them", she told the police officers. She said that Peter had 'bad' things on the USB devices which reflected certain sexual fantasies involving children.

Jeff Smith, defending, told Recorder Samantha Presland: “Jasmine Challands was suffering from a recognisable mental health condition when she committed these offences.

“I don’t necessarily suggest she is suffering from a mental condition now but there are a number of continuing problems. When I first met Jasmine Challands, I was told she was not getting the assistance she needs.

“She was born a man and remains a man but she wishes to become a woman. That inability to recognise her identity has caused ongoing problems which are exhibited when one looks at the [video link] screen in this courtroom.”

Mr Smith said he did not wish to justify the offending in any way but he pointed out that the child abuse images were cartoons, not photos of real children.

Challands, who previously had the first name Peter, had already served four months on remand at Durham Prison - the equivalent of an eight-month sentence, the court heard.

As Recorder Presland explained that the defendant is likely to be released imminently, Challands - appearing via video link - began sobbing and told the judge: “Don’t let me out.

“I don’t want to come out. Let me stay in prison, please.”

The Recorder explained that she had no power to keep the defendant in jail any longer than her offences merit. She told Challands: “I am deeply sorry it’s distressing for you to go back to ordinary life; I can’t do anything about that.

"It’s not my job to use prison to keep people feeling safe.”

But the judge asked Mr Smith to help Challands contact a local LGBT centre so she can get help in addressing her isolation.

“It’s vital that you are able to reach out and get help from people when you are so vulnerable,” added the Recorder.

As she heard that she is about to be released, Challands covered her face and repeatedly said the word: “No, no, no.”

A local LGBT organisation is available at www.lgbthq.org.uk.