UK's first trans MP convicted of harassing ex-wife after demanding £350k

A transgender former Conservative MP has been handed a community order for harassment. Katie Wallis, 41, of Butetown, Cardiff, became the first openly transgender MP in the House of Commons in 2022 while the MP for Bridgend, south Wales. Cardiff Magistrates' Court was told the former politician, previously known as Jamie Wallis, sent messages accusing Rebecca Wallis - now Lovell - of being "mean".

Using obscenities in communications, Wallis demanded to know about his ex-wife's new partner and that £350,000 be transferred within 15 minutes. In total, the ex-MP sent four messages and one voice note, expressing the hope that she and her father "never have a happy moment again".

The couple split in 2020, with the divorce finalised in 2024.

In a victim impact statement, which was read to the court, Ms Lovell said: "This is the hardest thing I have written, for so long I have had to fight against the tide of Jamie's behaviour, publicly and privately.

She added: "The woman I used to be is destroyed. I will never understand what I have done to deserve the hurt I have endured."

Ms Lovell described the last six months as "utterly devastating" and said she was living her life as an "overstimulated adult constantly in fight or flight".

She said she feared Wallis turning up at her home, leading her to have CCTV installed.

Wallis, who was wearing a black dress, looked down as the statement was read to the court.

Narita Bahra, mitigating, said Wallis uses female pronouns, referring to Jamie as a "dead name".

She argued it was "disappointing" the case had come to court, criticising South Wales Police and the Crown Prosecution Service for not dealing with the issue outside the court.

Ms Bahra argued it was "unequivocal" that Wallis had been suffering from mental health difficulties at the time of the offending, partly brought on by the transition to being a female.

She also said Wallis was suffering from PTSD, a depressive disorder and an adjustment disorder.

Ms Bahra said Wallis was remorseful and did not seek to excuse her actions.

Wallis asked for help in a final message to Ms Lovell, claiming to be experiencing pain in the temples.

Wallis was found by police and sectioned under the Mental Health Act before being arrested and later charged.

District Judge Rhys Williams handed Wallis a 12-month community order to be carried out over 12 days and a fine worth £1,264.

He also imposed a restraining order for 12 months to prevent Wallis from contacting Ms Lovell.

Wallis, who pleaded guilty to leaving the messages at a hearing in June, initially denied the charges, but changed plea when other allegations were removed from the charge.