Man sentenced to 12 months for transphobic hate crime

A man has been sentenced after being convicted of committing a transphobic hate crime.

Darren McClean, aged 38, of Highdown Lane, Sutton pleaded guilty to using abusive behaviour to cause harassment at Guildford Crown Court and was sentenced to two months behind bars on Friday 21 April.

On March 15 2017, McClean verbally abused Philippa Baker, a transgender female, whilst shopping at a local supermarket in Caterham.

Philippa was buying groceries at the self-serve checkout when McClean started shouting offensive and transphobic comments at her. She approached McClean and asked him to stop however he continued and began taking pictures of her on his mobile phone.

McClean was eventually removed from the supermarket by security staff leaving Philippa shaken by the attack.

Following the incident, McClean posted images taken on his mobile phone onto Facebook where he continued to make transphobic and hateful comments.

Philippa said: “The comments that were made to me were completely vile. He spoke with such hatred which I have not been subjected to previously. I was just minding my own business paying for my items when I was caught off guard by the abuse I received. I would like to thank PC Kara Lyford and Surrey Police for their support and reassurance throughout the case. ”

PC Kara Lyford, added: “Philippa was subjected to an awful ordeal whilst simply going about her day to day life. McLean not only verbally abused her but then proceeded to threaten her and take pictures of her without her consent. When she asked him to stop, he refused and continued to hurl abuse and made extremely offensive and completely unacceptable comments.”

“As a result Philippa has suffered a great deal and has feared for her personal safety. I would like to reassure the residents of Caterham and particularly our LGBT+ communities that we do not tolerate hate crime in any way. We take all reports of hate seriously and will take action. This sentencing result will hopefully give Philippa a sense of justice that she deserves.”

McClean was also sentenced to 10 months for breaching his suspended sentence after he was found guilty of a burglary in Redhill on February 5, 2016. 

If you have been a victim of hate crime, dial 999 or to report online, click here:

Alternatively the independent charity Crimestoppers can be contacted anonymously on 0800 555 111.