A TRANSGENDER teen attacked a railway worker and a police officer while struggling with mental health problems caused by his new identity.

The 17-year-old, from Irvine, who can’t be identified for legal reasons, carried out the violent attacks last year.

The youngster, who was born female but identifies as male, lashed out at a member of staff at a train station.

And he went on to assault a police officer in Tesco in Irvine - and continued his rampage after being taken to Crosshouse Hospital.

The details emerged this week when the youngster appeared in the dock at Kilmarnock Sheriff Court over the incidents.

He pleaded guilty to attacking worker Robert Fleming at Greenock West Railway Station, in Greenock, on June 15 last year.

And he also admitted assaulting Police Constable Thomas Lennox at Tesco, at the Riverway Retail Park, and behaving in a threatening or abusive way at the supermarket and the hospital, in breach of Section 38(1) of the Criminal Justice and Licensing (Scotland) Act 2010.

Procurator Fiscal Depute Lindzi Bayne said the attack at the train station took place at about 7.10pm on the Saturday night in question as Mr Fleming went to confront a group of youths who were causing a disturbance within the station.

She explained: “He approached the accused and, at this point, the accused shouted in his face and walked away.

“A couple of minutes later he was walking to the platform near where the accused was, and he brushed the accused out of the way.

“The accused walked up and punched him to the right side of the face and then left the station and did not return.”

Mr Fleming contacted British Transport Police to report the assault and an investigation was launched, leading to the teen being detained and charged.

He told officers: “Yes, I punched that man, I’m sorry.”

At around 4.50pm on September 2 last year, the teen went in to Tesco and purchased some rope - telling staff he was going to hang himself with it.

Miss Bayne, prosecuting, added: “Staff noted the accused appeared to be under the influence of alcohol and contacted police.

“Police officers attended. He appeared upset.

“He confirmed the position to officers that he had stated to staff earlier and was told he would be taken to hospital at that time but refused.

“He said he was going nowhere.

“He violently kicked out at Police Officer Lennox, striking him to the top of his leg.

“He became verbally abusive, shouting and swearing at the officers, and then continued to act in a threatening and abusive manner and was informed he was under arrest.

“Officers continued to convey the accused to Crosshouse Hospital, and his behaviour continued there.

“He stated he hoped the officers would ‘f****** die’ and called them ‘f****** scumbags’.”

Sheriff Michael Hanlon was told that there was “quite a complex background” to the case and the teen, who was 16 at the time of the train station assault, and 17 when he had the rammy with police.

His lawyer said: “He identifies as male but was born as female.

“This has obviously caused some issues and has caused some mental health issues.

“That is an underlying issue here.”

As he called for background reports to be prepared ahead of sentencing, and adjourned the case until next month for that to be done, the judge said: “I’m glad to hear there’s been no further offending - let’s keep it that way.”

Do you have a story? Call us on 01294 464321