Transvestite pulled knife on abusers
A TRANSVESTITE who was being ridculed by a group of abusive street drinkers stabbed one of them in the leg.
As derogatory remarks were being hurled at Christopher Johns, a woman in the group jumped on his back, grabbed his hair and pulled his earrings off.
When a man high on drink and drugs moved towards him, he reached into his rucksack and pulled out a multi-tool.
He inflicted a wound that required six stitches, Swansea Crown Court heard.
The incident happened in Swansea city centre last summer as Mr Johns walked home from his job in a charity shop.
The 43-year-old, of Garrod Avenue, Dunvant, appeared before the court to admit unlawful wounding.
Johns stood in the dock wearing make-up and earrings, and dressed in a black top with culottes and black boots.
He was said by prosecutor James Jenkins to have been targeted by a group of people drinking in Castle Square at 7pm on July 29.
They were being offensive towards people going into the McDonald's restaurant, he said.
Johns was walking through on his way home. He was in T-shirt and shorts, and was wearing make-up and jewellery.
"He is a recognised character in Swansea and known to be utterly inoffensive and are not interested in pushing his views on to anyone else," Mr jenkins told the court.
The group began behaving in a homophobic manner towards him.
In his basis of plea, Johns said he had tried to ignore the abuse but a woman had then jumped on his back and pulled at his hair and jewellery.
He said people began gathering round him and he felt frightened, fearing he would be attacked.
He took a multi-tool from his rucksack, he said.
A man approached him and Johns pushed him. The blade of the multi-tool came into contact with the man's right thigh.
The prosecutor said the man he injured, Karl Griffiths, was later to make a statement saying he did not wish to pursue a complaint of assault. Mr Griffiths confessed to having been high on drink and drugs at the time.
Johns's barrister, Huw Rees, described him as "something of a character in the nature of his appearance and dress".
He said he was clearly provoked but his use of the knife was unreasonable.
Recorder John Jenkins QC said, in sentencing Johns: "You were targeted for abuse in the street because of your appearance and clothing."
He said Johns had stabbed one of the group to the leg after fearing an attack would be made upon him.
However, there could be no justification for using a knife.
He made Johns subject to a 12- month community order, and directed that he should do 150 hours of unpaid work for the community.
21 Comments
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by Jeff Saxton, Utah
Monday, December 29 2008, 7:11PM
“Where I live, this would be a clear case of self-defense. I can't believe the socialist reaction-- blame the victim who only defended herself. What a perverse form of justice. Pity.”
by A C Deacey, Sketty
Wednesday, December 24 2008, 2:01PM
“Good old British justice, the victim Chris becomes the accused.
Chris now has a criminal record the police have his DNA yet the ones to started it are free on the streets of Swansea.
There needs to be an inquiry by the Chief Constable to why the police decided to bring this action and also why the CPA brought it.
There was a time when the World look up at the British legal service now its just a joke.”
by suz, gorseinon
Wednesday, December 24 2008, 7:34AM
“I have met Chris at the charity shop were he works and he is always polite and friendly.
I also think he should appeal as the magistrate seemed to accept he acted in self defence. As for his tormenters they should be prosecuted.”
by Mike, Port Talbot
Wednesday, December 24 2008, 1:47AM
“From what I have read I am absolutely disgusted. Direct quote from the article
"He said Johns had stabbed one of the group to the leg after fearing an attack would be made upon him.
However, there could be no justification for using a knife."
I'm sorry but I beg to differ. If I was being attacked by a bunch of drunken yobs and I knew that I had something on me that I could use to defend myself, then I would like to think I'd be able to use it without any comeback from the law. It seems the law truly is an ass. Of course there was justification for him to use the tool to defend himself. What has this city / country become?”
by dai, swansea
Tuesday, December 23 2008, 10:29PM
“ive been in alot of situations like this (im a metal head) and it seems if you like heavy metal and you wear band t-shirts and jeans ur a freak, (which im not, whats wrong with liking heavy metal) they are the 1s attacking people for looking different to them (or shall i say more tidy than they look) and hang around the streets drinking and taking drugs, who are the freaks”
by Katie, Newport, Gwent
Tuesday, December 23 2008, 5:47PM
“I wonder if the verdict would have been different had it been the judge's daughter, sister, mother or partner who was set upon by a group of drugged and drunken (mostly) males and panicked, reached for the nearest object she could find?
What would have happened if she hadn't manage to fend them off? GBH, sexual assault, murder, rape...? And how come they haven't been brought to account for their actions? At the very least this constitutes hate crime. Does the judge realise this?”
by taxi guy, swansea
Tuesday, December 23 2008, 2:00PM
“why dont the police do something about these druggies and alcoholics that hang around our town begging and being offensive,just take a look at high street by ck`s thers not a night that goes by you dont have trouble there,the council took the seats out of the bus shelters a while ago to stop trouble makers hanging around in them,so where are the old people that fought for us during the world wars suppose to sit now,then take a look at spar in st helens rd,you have beggers outside every night of the week,they ask you do you have any spare change when you tell them no they become agressive and say well you will when you come out,our is getting worse and what are the police doing......not a very lot it.”
by christine davies, swansea
Monday, December 22 2008, 10:47PM
“So it is all right to attack someone for being different. These thugs should have been made to answer for their attack as they were the ones who assaulted this innocent person. What next are they going to attack women who wear trousers. Whatever happened to live and let live. As it stands these people have not been punished for their obnoxious behaviour. I hope Chris Johns can put this behind him and carry on with his life. I hope next year will be a better year for him.”
by Stuart, neath
Monday, December 22 2008, 9:22PM
“Chris, you're a hero. I wish I had half your courage to go out en femme. You're one of life's treasures and if you want a hand doing your hair and nails after scrubbing graffiti and picking litter, give me a call.....xx”
by Jules, swansea
Monday, December 22 2008, 8:53PM
“I'm in agreement with the other comments here. That poor man must have been so scared surrounded by this gang - I applaud him for defending himself rather than allowing the scum to abuse him further. If I was in that situation, I would have done the same thing. Good on you Chris!!!”