Scottish soldier convicted of first transgender prejudice offence; anti-LGBT crimes rise in UK

Soldier Terry Porter has become the first person to be convicted of transgender prejudice in Scotland, since the introduction of legislation in March 2011.

The conviction came after an incident during which Mr Porter verbally abused and threatened violence towards Chloe Dow at her bedroom door. The victim, Ms Dow, is a transgendered person. The accused admitted that his actions were motivated by the victim's transgendered identity.

The Sheriff fined Mr Porter £350 for the offence. This was £150 more than the usual than the normal fine for such acts, to emphasize the transgender prejudice part of the crime.

Recent statistics published by the Association of Chief Police Officers show that there has been a 14% rise in the numbers of hate crimes against LGBT persons reported.

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