A transgender activist who told the crowd at a London Pride event to “punch a TERF” is set to be charged with encouraging assault, a court has heard.
Sarah Baker, 54, is currently in a men’s prison and awaiting trial over the incident in Westminster on July 8.
During a speech to the Trans+ Pride rally, she said: “I was gonna come here and be really fluffy and be really nice and say yeah be really lovely and queer and gay... Nah, if you see a TERF, punch them in the f***ing face.”
TERF is an acronym standing for ‘trans-exclusionary radical feminist’ and is often used as a derogatory term.
Baker, from Richmond in southwest London, was arrested in the days after the rally and charged with using threatening or abusive words or behaviour with intent to cause harassment alarm and distress.
At Westminster magistrates court on Thursday, prosecutor Luke Staton said Baker is set to face a second allegation, of intentionally encouraging the commission of an offence, namely assault by beating.
“The background to the case is a rally or protest”, said the prosecutor.
“The defendant is said to have made a comment to the effect of ‘if you see a TERF, punch them in the f***ing face’.”
Baker was previously given a life sentence for attempted murder, and was recalled on licence in the aftermath of the rally.
A crowdfunder has been set up under the banner of Free Sarah Jane Baker, so far raising more than £3,000 to support her in prison.
Lord Ponsonby, chairing the magistrates court bench, initially questioned why Baker – listed on court documents as ‘female’ – is being held at HMP Wandsworth, a male prison. However he was told as a trans woman the decision is according to the rules.
Baker was not brought to court in error for today’s hearing, and the case was adjourned until August 22.
A trial is due to be held at City of London magistrates court on August 31 in front of Deputy Chief Magistrate Tan Ikram.
