Inside life of mob 'ringleader' who stabbed trans girl as mum leaps to her defence

Summer Betts-Ramsey, 20, was one of five youths who carried out a horrific attack on transgender girl who was lured to a roller disco in Harrow, northwest London

A woman who “gloated” after stabbing a transgender girl in a horrific revenge attack has been pictured as an innocent schoolgirl as her mum has shockingly defended her.

An 18-year-old was knifed nine times, punched, kicked and stamped on while transphobic slurs were shouted at her during the February 10 assault last year. She had been lured to a roller disco in Harrow, northwest London, and attacked by five youths who have been jailed.

Summer Betts-Ramsey, 20, who carried out the stabbing, was sentenced to eight-and-a-half years in youth detention, of which four-and-a-half must be served in custody.

After the attack, Betts-Ramsey posted footage with laughing emojis and told friends: “I'm going jail... bro I stabbed her 12 times.” That night, a message was sent to Betts-Ramsey which said: “Stabbing a girl cus she’s trans… its disgusting,” to which Betts-Ramsey replied: “IT deserved it.”

Betts-Ramsey, who had three previous convictions for seven offences including robbery and four offences of battery, was already under a community order when the attack happened.

His Honour Judge Philip Katz KC said the “abhorrent” attack had been motivated by a “distorted notion of revenge”, adding it was at least in part linked to the woman’s gender identity. He told Betts-Ramsey she was a “dangerous offender” who poses a risk to the public.

And he also said: “Her gloating in the aftermath of the attack was shamelessly hateful and dehumanising.” Now images show Betts-Ramsey growing up with her family in north London where she appeared a cheerful child. She can be seen smiling in one photo with a school friend while dressed in smart uniforms and her hair tied back in a bun.

In court she was described as having “real potential” and yet she is now barely recognisable in the police mugshot following her arrest. A defence lawyer told the court that she had been intoxicated at the time of the attack and had been in and out of care since her life was affected by domestic violence and abuse which began when she was aged around seven.

And Betts-Ramsey's mum Linda claimed her daughter is "not a ringleader" as she attempted to defend her actions. "She's not a ringleader. You don't know the whole truth," she told the Mail. And a friend was reportedly told by the mum: "I love my daughter and can't bear to see what's happened to her - she's been treated worse than a murderer.

"What has come out in court looks bad but there are two sides to every story. Everyone is looking at it from one point of view. There was a hell of a lot that went on prior to this. There were a lot of threats." She is supposed to have added it is "hard to understand" but claimed her daughter's generation "deal with things in a totally different way".

Defence barrister Greg Unwin reportedly told the Old Bailey that Betts-Ramsey had expressed remorse for the knife attack and transphobic slurs He said: "She admitted she was using transphobic language and it was shameful. She is a person who has been in and out of care with complex needs and a history of abuse from an early age in childhood, particularly the age of nine.

"Her record shows she has been known to children's services for some time and went into care after abuse was reported to the police. Since her teenage years she has been in and out of care. From about 2011 there are reports of domestic violence and referrals referring to a young person who was easily influenced."

Also involved in the attack were Bradley Harris, Camron Osei, and Shiloh Hindes, all 18, who were sentenced to three years in youth detention. A 17-year-old boy, who cannot be named, was given a youth rehabilitation order. All members of the group admitted causing grievous bodily harm with intent, while Betts-Ramsey also admitted possession of a knife.

A 17-year-old girl who was not part of the group or the planning “joined in” with the attack before robbing the woman’s handbag, the court heard. “The mean and callous” teenager was handed a supervision order. Handing down his sentence, Judge Katz said the victim had been “viciously assaulted”.

He said: “She was punched to the ground and repeatedly kicked and stamped on. Rather than help, all of those involved ran off. She suffered really serious physical and emotional injuries. Kicking and standing on someone when they are on the ground is abhorrent.” Each member of the group “played a very significant role”, the judge said, adding that video footage of the attack was “sickening to watch”.