Six individuals have been sentenced for their roles in a brutal and premeditated attack on a transgender teenager in Harrow. The incident left the victim with severe physical and emotional scars after being stabbed nine times.
The attack occurred on Saturday, 10 February 2024, when police were called to Masons Avenue in Harrow at around 9:00 pm following reports of a teenager being robbed, seriously assaulted, and stabbed. The 18-year-old victim was rushed to the hospital with injuries that were thankfully not life-threatening. She has since been discharged but continues to receive support.
The Incident
Initial investigations revealed the attack was a transphobic hate crime, prompting the involvement of the Metropolitan Police’s North West Public Protection Unit. Officers discovered that the victim had been lured to the area under false pretenses to attend a roller skating event. Instead, she was ambushed by a group who had plotted the assault through a Snapchat group chat.
The group concealed their identities with face coverings, armed themselves with weapons, and orchestrated the violent attack to rid themselves of the victim after the assault.
Sentencing at the Old Bailey
The sentencing took place on Thursday, 16 January 2025, at the Old Bailey. The following individuals received sentences:
- Summer Betts-Ramsey, 20, of no fixed address: Sentenced to eight years and six months, to serve four years and six months in custody and the remainder on license. She pleaded guilty to causing grievous bodily harm with intent and possession of an offensive weapon.
- Bradley Harris, 18, of Carmelite Road, Harrow, and Cameron Beals, 18, of Kinlock Road, Tadworth: Each sentenced to three years for causing grievous bodily harm with intent.
- A 17-year-old girl pleaded guilty to robbery and possession of cannabis. She will be sentenced at a later date.
- A 16-year-old boy received an 18-month supervision order for causing grievous bodily harm with intent.
Victim’s Impact Statement
In a statement read to the court, the victim described the profound effect the attack had on her life:
“At times when I close my eyes, I replay the assault in my head and visualise the knife being used on me. I am unable to control this, and I feel at times that this is taking over my life. I am not living a normal life, and I am not sure if my life will ever be the same again.”
The victim also spoke about the trauma of experiencing transphobia, saying she had never imagined someone would harbor so much hatred for her identity as a transgender woman.
Police Investigation
Detective Inspector Nicola Hannant, who led the investigation, praised the victim’s bravery and the investigative team’s efforts:
“This was a horrendous and violent assault on a young woman, motivated by the fact she is transgender. Summer Betts-Ramsey and Bradley Harris orchestrated the attack, with Betts-Ramsey repeatedly stabbing the victim. This premeditated attack could have easily resulted in the death of the victim.”
DI Hannant emphasized the importance of holding perpetrators of hate crimes accountable and commended the victim’s courage throughout the investigation.
Community Support
The Metropolitan Police reaffirmed its commitment to supporting all communities, including transgender individuals, through dedicated LGBT+ Community Liaison Officers (CLOs).
For more information about the work of these officers, visit the Metropolitan Police website.
