Sex change antiques expert attacked
Last updated at 16:19 05 September 2005
Up to eight youths shouted "tranny" as they beat Lauren Harries and her father and brother on the doorstep of the family home, Cardiff Youth Court was told.
One was "like a violent bull" as he head butted Lauren's 63-year-old father and knocked him to the ground.
The 17-year-old Cardiff male, who cannot be named for legal reasons, today pleaded guilty to inflicting grievous bodily harm on father, Mark and actual bodily harm on brother Adam, and throwing a brick through the window of the family car.
The court was told that he has refused to name the other seven involved in the attack.
Lauren was formerly golden-haired child antiques expert James Harries, who rose to national fame in the 1980s and 1990s.
Sex change operation
After reaching adulthood, James underwent a sex change operation to become Lauren, recently appearing on the Channel 4 documentary Little Lady Fauntleroy, when she was interviewed by Keith Allen.
Prosecuting, Leanne Jonathan told the court: "The Harries family are well known in the area and indeed the country. Lauren has achieved a certain notoriety.
"She was born James Harries but she unde
rwent gender realignment surgery and the family has received a good deal of nuisance in the area."
She said that the family had been watching television at home on July 8 this year when they heard banging at the door.
A group of youths had gathered outside the house and were shouting and swearing.
Lauren's 28-year-old brother clearly described "hearing the word 'tranny' being shouted as he left the house", said Ms Jonathan.
When Mark Harries challenged the youths the defendant head butted him and punched and tried to kick him as he lay on the ground.
The court heard that Mr Harries described his attacker as being, "like a violent bull."
As Adam went to his father's aid he too was attacked by the defendant.
Defending, Stephen Jones said that his client did not know the family and had been drinking with friends when one of the group decided to bang on the family's front door.
He said: "There is no question that other people used the words, 'tranny' but my client never used those words. It is a quantum leap to say this is a hate crime."
Magistrate David Ford described the crime as "absolutely hideous" and adjourned the case for two weeks to consider whether to impose a tagging, surveillance and supervision (Intensive Supervision Surveillance Provision) order.
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