A transgender prisoner who pleaded guilty to two sexual assaults against female prisoners, has been jailed for life.
Karen White, who was born a man but identifies as a woman, confessed to two counts of sexual touching at New Hall Prison, Wakefield.
White, who was born male but now identifies as a woman and is transitioning, was jailed for two counts of rape, two sexual assaults and one offence of wounding.
She also had previous convictions for indecent assault, indecent exposure and gross indecency involving children, violence and dishonesty.
Passing sentence Judge Christopher Batty told the defendant: “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.”
The court heard she used her “transgender persona” to put herself in contact with vulnerable women.
She must serve a minimum term of nine-and-a-half years before parole can be considered.
White appeared by video link from HMP Leeds, and sat impassive during the hearing, wearing a patterned blouse, glasses and shoulder-length blonde hair.
She attacked two women while at HMP New Hall, a women’s prison between September and October last year. At the time she was on remand for other offences.