Trans paedophile rapist jailed again after sending 'grooming' messages to child

A rapist has been handed an extended prison sentence totalling 100 months and will be on the sex offenders' register for life after sending inappropriate messages to a child, just days after being released from prison.

Joshua Bate, who identifies as a female, attempted to groom a young girl by sending Facebook messages to the child on January 3, telling her she'd like to "kiss her lips", The Chronicle reported.

The 25-year-old also asked the child if she wanted to "spoon" and "snuggle", causing the young girl to tell an adult about the messages.

The police were informed shortly afterwards and arrested Bate

Durham Crown Court, on Wednesday, heard that Bate had recently left prison after serving a seven year sentence for rape.

Appearing in court via link from HMP Durham, she "apologised" for inciting a child to engage in sexual activity and admitted the messages were "sexually motivated."

Bate said she was "attracted to children of both sexes"

In Durham Crown Court the adult, whose home Bate was staying in at the time she sent the messages, branded her a "menace to society".

They said: "I feel like he wishes to change his sex and identity simply to hide what he is".

Alongside an extended prison sentence, the court also imposed a lifelong sexual harm prevention order and a lifelong restraining order.