Georgia Bilham

Georgia Bilham, a 21-year-old woman from Alpraham, Cheshire, was found guilty of sexual assault following an eight-day trial at Chester Crown Court. The case centred on her elaborate deception of a short-sighted 19-year-old complainant, whom she tricked into believing she was a man through an online persona created on Snapchat under the name George Parry.

Bilham, who always wore a hood over her head—even in bed—to maintain the illusion, engaged in a 'love-hate' online relationship with the complainant that turned toxic at times. The offences allegedly occurred between May and August 2021. Jurors heard that Bilham admitted to being caught in a 'web of lies' but denied deriving any thrill from the deception. She claimed the relationship began after they met in person, but the complainant messaged her saying, 'There's something weird about you,' and initially blocked her on Snapchat.

Key evidence included CCTV footage released by Cheshire Constabulary, showing Bilham purchasing items at a petrol station while dressed in a navy blue hoodie, consistent with the disguise used in her persona. The footage, captured internally at the station, depicted her in the attire that helped perpetuate the ruse. Bilham's cover was reportedly blown on 11 May 2021, when she crashed her mother's car into a hedge while driving with the complainant. A police officer at the scene checked her driving licence, which Bilham believes revealed her true gender to the teenager.

During the trial, Bilham testified that she had been a 'tomboy' in her youth and had a strained relationship with her mother following her parents' split. She explained setting up the fake account as an 'escape' due to unhappiness and lack of confidence, stating, 'I just was not happy in myself... It was a stupid thing to do. It was a way of not being me.' She denied nine counts of sexual assault and eight counts of assault by penetration, maintaining that the complainant knew she was a woman after the car incident. Bilham also said she never wanted to change gender but was questioning her sexuality, adding that her mother would not approve of a same-sex relationship.

The complainant’s mother told the court that her daughter described 'George' as having social anxiety, which explained the constant hood. 'George' had claimed paranoia due to involvement with Albanian gangsters. On 14 June 2023, Bilham showed no reaction as the verdict was delivered. Judge Michael Leeming addressed her, saying, 'You have been convicted of count one, an allegation of sexual assault.' He adjourned sentencing for a pre-sentence report, warning, 'It should not be taken by you as an indication of a non-custodial sentence - all options are open.' Bilham will be sentenced on 19 July 2023 and must sign the sex offenders register.

• Source: ITV News Granada, based on Chester Crown Court proceedings and Cheshire Constabulary evidence.
• Key Quote from Bilham: 'I think they told her I was female. It was not George, it was Georgia.'