Chester Crown Court was the venue this morning (Thursday, November 12) for the sentencing of Gayle Newland of Willaston who tricked a fellow former University of Chester student into believing she was a man and used a prosthetic penis to have sex with her on multiple occasions.
Newland , of Hooton Road, was convicted of three counts of sexual assault in September following a trial. Today she has been sentenced to eight years in prison.
Signing off
The various parties in the Gayle Newland sentencing hearing have made their way out of Chester Crown Court as Newland prepares to begin her eight year prison sentence. To recap, Newland received 8 years in custody for each of the three counts she was convicted of, to be served concurrently. We are signing off on our live coverage. Thank you for following our updates. A full report on the hearing will be published on our website later today.
Prevention order
Newland will also be subject to a sexual harm prevention order which will last ‘indefinitely’
Distraught Newland
Sobs from the public gallery as a distraught Newland had to be held up and led out of the courtroom by two dock officers
Breach of trust
Judge says her behaviour amounted to ‘a callous breach of trust that your friend had in you’
Personal circumstances
Judge says he finds that the victim was particularly vulnerable due to her personal circumstances
Severe impact on victim
‘I am quite sure that the psychological impact on the victim will be severe and long lasting’, Judge says
Wicked deception
Judge says Kye controlled victim, then stepped in as Gayle to comfort as a friend, ‘taking this cruel and wicked deception’ to a new level
Creation of alter ego
Judge: ‘Central to this case was your creation of an alter ego character named Kye who you created as a teenager’
'Scheming' young woman
Judge Dutton tells Newland she is a ‘scheming’, ‘deceitful’ and ‘highly manipulative’ young woman
Sentencing imminent
The judge has returned to the court room to announce his decision on sentencing.
Defendant returns to the dock to hear fate
Gayle Newland has entered the dock again. She’s wearing a green blazer, purple sweatshirt and black trousers.
Correction to earlier entry
Correction: One of the five problems identified by the psychiatrist was eating disorder symptoms, not an eating disorder
Judge to consider sentence
Judge Dutton has retired to consider the sentence. Court will resume at noon
Linked to problems
‘The offending is so clearly linked to the psychological problems she has experienced for so long’ - Mr Power
Obvious triggers
‘The offending had real and obvious triggers that will never arise again’, Mr Power says
Treatment for Newland
Dr Nathan has identified treatment for Newland which is much more likely to be effective if she is not in custody, Mr Power says
Psychological struggles
Mr Power says Kye Fortune was a part of Newland’s life because of the psychological struggles she experienced for a decade
Five problems
Psychiatrist concluded Newland has five psych problems: social anxiety disorder, generalised anxiety disorder, major depression, obsessive compulsive disorder and eating disorder
Sexuality confusion
Psych report mentions that Newland first saw a psychiatrist when she was 15 regarding feelings of gender and sexuality confusion
Blurred gender lines
Report references Newland’s blurred gender lines when she was growing up and has struggled coming to terms with her sexuality
Psychiatric reports
Psychiatric report prepared after her conviction refers to her low self-esteem and anxiety
Employment prospects
He says she is worried about being able to make new friends, and employment prospects
International publicity
Mr Power says the level of publicity it attracted was international, not just local and national and has had a ‘crushing’ effect on Newland