Brighton trans woman threatened to kill activist Kellie-Jay Keen

Layla Le Fey, 44, posted tweets on X, formerly known as Twitter, threatening two well-known "women’s rights campaigners" Helen Joyce and Kellie-Jay Keen, also known as Posie Parker.

The posts described wanting to burn one of their houses down with them inside it and wanting to “physically kick the s*** out of you, pull your eyes out and break your spine”.

Three of the posts were made in March and one on June 7 last year. Le Fey was arrested by Sussex Police a few days after the final tweet.

Brighton Magistrates' Court heard yesterday that Le Fey could be jailed for up to eight weeks or given a community order.

Kellie-Jay Keen in Brighton at a previous gathering (Image: Eddie Mitchell)

One tweet said: “I’m a trans woman and I’m not ashamed to admit I’d be happy to physically kick the s*** out of you pull your eyes out and break your spine.

"I live in Portslade, East Sussex, UK. If you want to prove your point that some trans people are extremely violent, I’m game.

“I’d be interested in setting fire to her house with her in it,” another tweet said.

Le Fey, of George Williams Mews, Portslade, pleaded guilty to four counts of sending an offensive/obscene/menacing message via public communication network.

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Duty solicitor Andrew Foreman, defending, said: “It seems to be the case that this is part of the culture war between trans activists and women’s rights activists. Feelings run high between both sides.”

District Judge Richard Hawgood replied: “The problem is looking at the messages themselves, it is absolutely vitriolic.”

Mr Foreman described the tweets as hyperbole and said he suspected a lot of the online debate was of that kind.

Neither Kellie-Jay Keen or Helen Joyce has provided a victim impact statement.

The court heard Le Fey had a “very extensive” list of previous convictions.

Le Fey, wearing a chequered suit, leopard print jacket and earrings, previously tried to steal wine from Budgens in Queen’s Road, Brighton, then threatened to hit the manager with a claw hammer.

Judge Hawgood adjourned the sentencing for a pre-sentence report.

Le Fey has been committed to sentence for April 9 at the same court.

Le Fey must not contact Kellie-Jay Keen or Helen Joyce as part of the bail conditions.