Transsexual fires at children after taunts

1:11pm Friday 4th March 2005

A disturbed transsexual brandished an air pistol before opening fire on schoolchildren in an apparent retaliation for abuse and taunting.

Sarah Sara, 30, previously Alan Swain, sparked a chain of 999 calls when she started waving the large black gun at a boy in Haydons Road, Wimbledon.

But fortunately, despite at least three shots being fired, nobody was hit before police arrived on the scene and were able to restrain her.

She later pleaded guilty to possessing a firearm with intent to cause fear or violence. After being sentenced at Kingston Crown Court on Friday, she said she was sorry.

She told the court: "I will do no more of this crime committing. I'm sorry for what I did last year."

In court, Crown Counsel Philippa McAtasney said Sara had pointed the gun at a boy's head, about five metres away from her.

She said: "The boy was backing away and putting his hand up to protect his face.

"There was also a group of about five schoolgirls who were screaming and running for cover.

"They were clearly very frightened. The defendant waved the gun without care or concern."

Michael McDonnell, who had been walking behind Sara after they both alighted at Haydons Road station, later told the News how he called 999 on hearing the first shots.

He said: "Some young yobs intervened and started throwing stones.

"He Sara pursued them and they ran down to the station and up the bridge and he stood on the bridge and shot at them.

"Then he walked back slowly as if nothing had happened."

The incident happened on March 18 last year, at about 2.30pm.

When police arrived at the scene they found a Spanish P800 Gamo air pistol, capable of firing 4.5mm calibre airgun pellets or darts, in Sara's bag.

They later searched her room in a nearby care home, finding a notebook detailing how she had been chased and assaulted by a group of schoolchildren.

Sara, formerly of Haydons Road, was sent by the court to a secure unit at a hospital where she will be treated for Aspergers syndrome, a type of autism.

Her situation will be reviewed on May 20.

jbowring@london.newsquest.co.uk