[News] [UK] Trans woman ‘pushed to death’ by friend
Stephanie Stevens
Trans woman ‘pushed to death’ by friend
by Staff Writer, PinkNews.co.uk
13 December 2011, 9:06am
A respected human rights lawyer and transgender woman was pushed to
her death in front of a train by a friend she had been helping, a
court heard today.
Sonia Burgess, 63, who was known professionally as David, died at
Kings Cross station last October when she was hit by an incoming
underground train.
Senthooran Kanagasingham, 35, of Cricklewood, denies murder but admits
manslaughter on the grounds of diminished responsibility.
According to the Evening Standard, Mr Kanagasingham, who has used the
name Nina in the past and at the time of Ms Burgess’ death, now wishes
to be regarded as male.
The Old Bailey heard today that Mr Kanagasingham, a Sri Lankan
national, had been suffering mental health problems including
depression and schizophrenia.
On the day of her death, Ms Burgess had accompanied Mr Kanagasingham
to a GP appointment, where she had raised concerns about his mental
health.
The court heard that Ms Burgess, who allowed the defendant to visit
her flat to shower and discuss personal problems, feared that Mr
Kanagasingham was becoming psychotic.
His lawyers say he was suffering from paranoid schizophrenia at the time.
But Brian Altman QC, prosecuting, told the court that Mr
Kanagasingham’s actions were “entirely deliberate and executed with
the intention of killing Sonia Burgess”.
He added: “After all, it could hardly have been done with any lesser
intention than to send her to her death.”
The trial continues.
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