Transgender fell runner Lauren Jeska sentenced to 18 years for attempted murder

[DickToPhone]

The BBC predictably fails to report the full facts:
www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-birmingham-39266777

"Jeska was told her previous running results could be expunged and she feared further blood tests would reveal her transgender status publicly."

The DM has the detail:

www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-4312594/Fell-runner-jailed-trying-murder-athletics-official.html

"Opening the case, Richard Atkins QC, said: 'The defendant is a transgender athlete in dispute with UK Athletics about eligibility to compete as a male athlete.

'She had not provided the relevant samples to her testosterone levels and other relevant documentation.'

As a result, her racing results had been declared null and void, the court heard."

"The week before the attack, Mr Knibbs had gone to meet Jeska at her home to discuss the 'long-term' issue with the sporting governing body.

Mr Atkins added that following the incident, Jeska told a psychiatrist 'she fantasised about going to the Alexander Stadium and killing all of the staff'.

Describing the attack, the prosecution barrister said: 'CCTV captured what can only be described as a frenzied attack.

'She lunged and attacked him about the head and neck area using both knives, making repeated attempts to stab him.'"

"Mr Knibbs himself told the court the 'traumatic, life-changing experience' had robbed him of his independence, with long-term nerve damage suffered both in the attack and by necessary life-saving surgery afterwards.

He had also suffered a stroke during the assault, resulting in partial permanent sight-loss."

"The judge told Jeska, of Wesley Terrace, her attack had been 'planned and executed with chilling precision', calling the case a 'deeply disturbing and complex one'."

"Mr Drew said: 'This was a cool, calculated attack and watching the CCTV, we can all see that.'"

Jeska's parents said

'Whatever the technical psychiatric diagnosis, it is clear to us as parents that the assault is only understandable as the consequence of a mental health crisis precipitated by the affair with the UKA.'

This is why their needs to be CLEAR rules. A total ban in world sport on athletes changing gender.

Yes you are right. There were obviously long term mental health issues, issues in the family and the argument with the athletic authorities.

The judge said I do not intend to get involved or sentence on the basis of you or UK Athletics being in the right or wrong because this case is not about that dispute, it is about what happened thereafter.'

Which is entirely correct.

I don't see how anyone can be blamed for not preventing it because so many people have these problems but do not do something like this, so it is not predictable. There was a lot going on besides the issues with the running authorities, and this is how this person chose to deal with it.

"The BBC coverage seems impartial to me."

It doesn't mention the failure of Jeska to provide the required samples. It implies that UK Athletics were doing this because Jeska is transgender. The DM on the other hand said that Jeska had not provided the required blood samples. Completely different.

You'd have to have serious mental health issues to be extremely shocked by the effects of stabbing a man twice in the neck with two large knives. What the hell did Jeska think was going to happen? Jeska was by their own admission trying to kill everyone.

Ralph Knibbs was fortunate that he was strong and brave, as were the people that came to his aid. A different person I think would more than likely be dead.

I see that the BBC have updated the second paragraph of their news item to state that Jeska is a transgender athlete. Maybe they had complaints about their reporting.

Indeed. www.newssniffer.co.uk/articles/1342903/diff/1/2

I read this today on the train.

All the moaning of the "trans hate" on mn and the "it does not bother me if they compete in womens sport"

A man nearly died doing his job because another man cheated his way through womens sport.
Is that not enough to make clear guidlines regarding trans people?
No not every trans person is violent and I am not saying they are but had it been clear from the start that a TW cannot compete in womens sport i feel it would have never got this far.

Victim blaming despite their child being the one holding 2 knives Sally. It sickened me tbh.

listened to the summary of the report on this news item on radio 4
they stated something like 'transgender runner stabs man after row about her competition/hormonal status
from memory but the impression given was of a 'row' - something acute, an argument with two participants
rather than the more accurate ' premeditated and planned attack' that occurred
maybe 'row' was meant to be a more generic 'dispute' or 'controversy' term but there is a subtext to using it suggesting more of a physical argument or fight situation than the sample and paperwork based dispute that occured

Totally agree regarding the ban on changing gender in sport.

Jeska drove from Wales with two knives in their rucksack. Totally premeditated.

And yes, he will be serving in a women's prison

three knives

"Jeska was found carrying a 12cm kitchen knife, a 13cm kitchen knife and a bread knife when cops arrived.

She also admitted two charges of carrying kitchen knives, but denied one of carrying a bread knife.

Jeska had the bread knife in her bag throughout the attack, but did not take it out."

This is a shocking crime. In previous reporting, I got the impression that Mr Knibbs was taking a very principled approach to this case but I hadn't realised he had a history of standing on his principles re South Africa. This man almost lost his life standing up for women. He should be lauded by feminists for his actions.

Thanks for the link to www.newsniffer.co.uk DickToPhone. I’ve bookmarked that. It used to be the case that I could trust the news back when it was newsprint; but now it seems the news is “flexible”, which makes it much harder to pin down any facts that the media have reported.

I agree that the parents' response is victim-blaming. Jeska's actions were a consequence of the potential discovery that they were not entitled to their wins because they were biologically male. Which Jeska's parent would have very well known. Sure, support your offspring through whatever they're going through, but surely they knew their offspring was biologically male and had gone through male puberty which gave them an advantage that women don't have.

Usually you hear a victim statement. In this case it seemed like the convict was the victim as we only heard the statement from the parents.

Yes, I know.

It reminded me a bit of the "Poor Oscar" narrative that was around just after he murdered Reeva Steenkamp. How awful it was for him that this terrible thing had happened to him and now he's really upset the poor dear.

He's definitely going to a female prison?

waitrose it probably depends on his legal status. If he has legally changed his gender to female he is entitled to a place in a womans prison. If he simply identifies and/or presents as a woman then he will be assessed and assigned a place in whichever prison the authorities feel is more suitable.
I got the impression he has his GRC though I could be wrong.

Oops, accidentally used 'he' . Sorry Mumsnet. I would usually use they or the individuals name in this situation.

I think she has already had surgery, so presumably that goes hand-in-hand with the certificate. She will, on that basis, ask to be sent to a woman's prison.

And, according to Harriet Harman this might be a basis for revoking that certificate.

Which I'm sure is little comfort to Ralph Knibbs.

I hate that a male (XY chromosomes), even one with GRC and presenting in a feminine way, can go to a female prison. Things are really messed up. Jeska belongs in a male prison.

Parents victim blaming, Jeska shocked that a knife attack could accuse injuries, poor guy blind from a stroke brought on because of an attack by a violent male, said attack will go on female stats, and Jeska will no doubt be free to roam and female prison.

Sad state of affairs.

But this never happens. Just waiting for the wails of 'not true trans' and such that always seem to materialize whenever a transgender person does something terrible.

That's three in the news for crimes this week - Jeska the attempted murderer and two rapists.

But no one is at risk from transwomen because they're the most persecuted group in society