Transgender prisoner jailed

A transgender prisoner will serve her time in a men's prison and not on home detention.

Glen Cooper was sentenced to two years and one month in jail after she pleaded guilty to a charge of wounding with intent to injure on January 17 this year.

In the Whangarei District Court today Judge Duncan Harvey gave Cooper a 15 per cent reduction in the sentence in recognition of the difficulties she would have in serving her sentence in a men's prison.

She was also given a 15 per cent reduction for the early guilty plea.

Lawyer Kelly Ellis had, at a sentence indication hearing, appealed to Judge Harvey to consider a sentence less than two years that would enable Cooper to serve her time on home detention.

Ms Ellis submitted if Cooper went to jail in a men's prison, she would be at great risk of abuse.