Trans rapist enrolled in college beauty course while awaiting trial
Isla Bryson was a student at Ayrshire College in 2021
Ayrshire College have confirmed that a transgender woman who was convicted of rape at the High Court in Glasgow earlier this week was enrolled on a course at one of their campuses while awaiting trial.
Thirty-one-year-old Isla Bryson, who was previously known as Adam Graham, was found guilty of raping two vulnerable women while she identified as a man.
In 2021, she enrolled in a beauty course at the college's Kilwinning Campus in a class predominantly made up of younger girls.
'No prior knowledge'
Ayrshire College said they had no prior knowledge of her being charged with any offences.
An Ayrshire College spokesperson said: "We can confirm the individual was enrolled as a student at Ayrshire College for a three-month period in 2021 and is no longer a student with the College.
"Ayrshire College had no prior knowledge of this individual being charged with any offences.
“We will not be making any further comment on this matter.”
Prison controversy
There had been concerns about the double rapist's detention in Corton Vale women's prison in Stirling before she was sentenced.
Earlier, the First Minister Nicola Sturgeon addressed the issue in the Scottish Parliament.
Ms Sturgeon said: "It would not be appropriate for me in respect of any prisoner to give details of where they are being incarcerated.
"But given the understandable public and parliamentary concern in this case I can confirm to parliament that this prisoner will not be incarcerated at Cornton Vale women's prison.
"I hope that provides assurance to the public."
Bryson, previously known as Adam Graham, was on Tuesday found guilty of raping one woman in Clydebank in 2016 and another in Drumchapel, Glasgow, in 2019, following a trial at the High Court in Glasgow and was understood to be being held at Cornton Vale ahead of sentencing next month.
A Scottish Prison Service spokesperson said: “Decisions by the SPS as to the most appropriate location to accommodate transgender people are made on an individualised basis, informed by a multi-disciplinary assessment of both risk and need.
“Such decisions seek to protect both the wellbeing and rights of the individual as well as the welfare and rights of others around them, including staff, in order to achieve an outcome that balances risks and promotes the safety of all, and that is exactly what has happened in this case."
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