Trans woman threatened to stab neighbour after being 'dead-named', court hears

However, charges against the Northern Irish chef of making threats to kill and threatening or abusive behaviour were dropped.

The 64-year-old made headlines last year when demanding to be moved to a women's prison in a landmark legal battle.

Deputy District Judge Joe Rice called James's decision to plead guilty "very wise".

Explaining James's alleged intentions with the knife, a prosecutor told to a previous court: "She said she would stab the neighbour and feel happy."

Sean Doherty, defending, said James and the neighbour got along well until their relations darkened.

He said: "She felt comfortable enough to confide in the complainant and tell him her story.

"However, her confidence was betrayed and she was subjected to bullying by the neighbour, who referred to her by her birth name, what she called her 'dead name'."

Mr Doherty said at no point did James make any threats, and the chef has in fact phoned the police "in desperation".

Speaking to reporters outside the court last week, the 64-year-old spoke of wanting to "move on" and live "in peace" but the neighbour "tortured" her by continually calling her "boy" and "man".

The chef was originally remanded in custody at Maghaberry Prison before proceedings before the High Court in December last year.

However, the 64-year-old's solicitor Joseph Mulholland said a policy gap around transgender people in custody had "caused unnecessary delays ad distress".

James won at the High Court and was released on bail in January.

Following this victory, the chef launched a Judicial Review against the Department of Justice (DoJ) centring on its policy on transgender prisoners.

It is understood there are now guidelines in place within the DoJ.

According to Laura McMahon, James was initially taken to Maghaberry based on a court committal.

However, a health trust then undertook an information-gathering process and held a conference at "a very high level" with the Prison Service.

It is also believed that, at first, James was happy with the accommodation provided within the prison service.

Ms McMahon said: "There is nothing to see here. The application was about the absence of a policy. There clearly is one, and this is an example of it working."

The case has been adjourned to allow for the compilation of pre-sentence reports.

James, from Main Road in Cloughey, violated bail conditions and was in court once again on Saturday.

Sentencing is set for next month.