Trans rapist Isla Bryson never wanted to be a girl as a child, mum says

12 February 2023, 12:09 | Updated: 12 February 2023, 12:11

Isla Bryson was convicted of raping two women last month
Isla Bryson was convicted of raping two women last month. Picture: Alamy
Kieran Kelly

By Kieran Kelly

Transgender rapist Isla Bryson never wanted to be a girl when she was a child, according to her mum.

Janet Bryson, who is a rape survivor herself, said she is "disgusted and heartbroken" that her son is a rapist.

Bryson was convicted last month of raping two women, one in Clydebank in 2016 and one in Drumchapel, Glasgow, in 2019.

She committed the offences when she was a man, named Adam Graham.

Her case caused controversy after Bryson was initially housed in a female prison, before being moved to a male estate.

The 31-year-old's mum told the Sunday Mail her child gave no indication of being transgender while growing up.

Trans rapist Isla Bryson raped two women when she was a man
Trans rapist Isla Bryson raped two women when she was a man. Picture: Getty

She said: "I don't know why it took him until he was 29 to say he wanted to become a woman. But I understand why some people think it's just a way of getting out of going to a male prison.

"My son never expressed any wish to me that he wanted to be a girl, dressed in any other way or ever asked to be called by any other name than Adam growing up. Never once, at the age of four or at any other age.

"I would understand it more if this had been something he had been doing for years but that's just not the case."

Isla Bryson's birth name is Adam Graham
Isla Bryson's birth name is Adam Graham. Picture: PA

Read More: Teenager charged with assaulting emergency worker during violent protest outside Merseyside asylum seeker hotel

Read More: 'He must have gone mad': Family of Epsom College killer reveal their shock after 'murder-suicide'

During her trial, Bryson said she identified as transgender from the age of four, but never transitioned until the age of 29.

She is currently taking hormones and will undergo surgery to complete gender reassignment, the court heard.

In the wake of Bryson's case, the Scottish Prison Service carried out an urgent review of the case and made recommendations on the management of transgender prisoners, which Bryson's mum said she understands.

She continued: "My son is a rapist. I don't see how he can go to a women's prison. I understand why people have been so worried about someone like Adam, who has done what he has done, being sent to a prison full of women."

Isla Bryson will be sentenced later this month.

More Latest News

See more More Latest News

Julie Buckley, 54, has not been seen since late January when she went missing from the village of Christchurch, Cambridgeshire.

Man charged with murder in 'no-body' case after woman goes missing in Cambridgeshire

Exclusive
Trump is ‘shaking up our region’, says Israel's president.

Donald Trump is 'shaking up our region', says Israel's president as he 'reveals US leader's strategy' in Middle East

Exclusive
Israel must 'square the circle to get hostages out' as Israeli President labels 500 day wait 'tormenting, aching and painful’

Israel must 'square the circle to get hostages out' says President, labelling 500 day wait 'tormenting, aching and painful’

A teacher who was knocked down by a group of kids playing playground game British Bulldog says she was left with a severe leg injury that left her out of work for months.

Summer camp teacher claiming £300k in damages after group of kids knock her down in famous playground game

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has arrived in Saudi Arabia for peace talks with Russia as the war in Ukraine rages on.

US-Russia peace talks for Ukraine begin as Europe blocked out of Saudi Arabia meeting

Harry received a standing ovation at the closing ceremony.

Meghan's four-word response as Prince Harry receives standing ovation in emotional Invictus Games closing ceremony

Exclusive
Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer (far right) visits the Tapa NATO forward operating base in Estonia.

Starmer should send 'warships, combat brigade, and air squadrons' to Ukraine, says ex-armed forces minister

Millions of jobs at risk as UK firms mull biggest layoffs in close to a decade amid plunging business confidence

Millions of jobs at risk as UK firms mull 'biggest layoffs in a decade' amid plunging business confidence

Wes Streeting says campaign to free Lucy Letby is 'not right'

'This isn't a political campaign, it's a legal process': Wes Streeting says campaign to free Lucy Letby is 'not right'

Exclusive
West Streeting, left, has back Sir Keir Starmer after the Prime Minister said he was ready to put British troops on the ground in Ukraine.

Peace in Ukraine 'vital for Britain's freedom', says Streeting as he backs PM's calls for troops on the ground

From Conclave to The Brutalist - the full 2025 BAFTA's winners list revealed

From Conclave to The Brutalist - the full 2025 BAFTA's winners list revealed

President Zelenskyy of Ukraine has arrived in the United Arab Emirates ahead of this week's expected peace talks aimed at ending his country's war with Russia.

Zelenskyy visits UAE as Starmer signals support for British troop deployment in Ukraine peacekeeping

Emergency services were called just after 7pm on Friday amid reports a woman had suffered serious injuries

'I thought it was fireworks': Pub landlady describes moments before fatal Valentine's Day car park shooting

Danielle McLaughlin's killer Baghat was finally found guilty today

Man sentenced to life in prison over rape and murder of Irish backpacker Danielle McLaughlin in Goa

Shakira: Las Mujeres Ya No Lloran World Tour Kick Off - Rio de Janeiro

Singer Shakira admitted to hospital after abdominal issues force her to cancel concert

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy

Kyiv 'not invited' to US-Russia peace negotiations