Karen White, born Stephen Wood, a 52-year-old transgender individual originally from the Manchester area, has a long history of sexual offences and violence. In 2018, at Leeds Crown Court, White was given a life sentence with a minimum tariff of nine-and-a-half years for multiple serious crimes, including rape, sexual assault, and wounding. The court described White as a 'predator' and a significant risk to women, children, and the public.
The most recent offences occurred while White was on remand at HMP New Hall, a women's prison in Wakefield, West Yorkshire, in 2017. Between September and October 2017, White sexually assaulted two female inmates, pleading guilty to two counts of sexual touching. These attacks took place after White had begun gender realignment, presenting as a woman by wearing a wig, make-up, and false breasts. The prosecution argued that White's transition was not fully committed and was allegedly used as a 'transgender persona' to gain access to vulnerable women for abuse. Following the guilty plea in September 2017, White was transferred to a male prison due to the assessed risk.
Further investigations revealed prior rapes committed by White. One victim, a woman in her 20s, came forward after receiving a letter from White in prison. She reported being violently raped five or six times between January and December 2016, after meeting White at a psychiatric unit in West Yorkshire. Another rape occurred in 2003, when White attacked a two-month pregnant woman after spiking her drink with vodka until she passed out. Although arrested at the time, no prosecution details were provided in court for the 2003 incident.
White's criminal history includes previous convictions for indecent assault, indecent exposure, and gross indecency involving children, as well as offences related to violence and dishonesty. During probation interviews, White admitted to a sexual interest in children and stated she could abuse a child 'and think nothing of it'. In August 2017, prior to the prison assaults, White had attacked a 66-year-old neighbour with a steak knife in Mytholmroyd, leading to her remand at HMP New Hall.
Judge Christopher Batty, passing sentence, stated: 'You are a predator and highly manipulative and in my view you are a danger. You represent a significant risk of serious harm to children, to women and to the general public.' Prosecutor Christopher Dunn highlighted the manipulative use of White's transgender identity. Detective Inspector David Rogerson of West Yorkshire Police noted: 'White has pleaded guilty to a number of serious sexual offences which span many years. We are pleased to see White appropriately sentenced by the courts for what are very serious offences.' A Prison Service spokesman apologised for errors in managing the case, emphasising prisoner safety as a priority. The case, reported by BBC News on 13 August 2018, raised concerns about the placement of transgender prisoners in women's facilities.