Former Tory MP handed community order for harassing ex-wife

A former Tory MP has been handed a community order after admitting harassing her ex-wife.

Katie Wallis, 41, was known as Jamie before she became the UK's first openly transgender MP in 2022. She represented the seat of Bridgend in South Wales from 2019 to 2022.

Wallis was sentenced today for harassing ex-wife Rebecca Wallis, now known as Rebeca Lovell.

Cardiff Magistrates' Court heard the ex-MP sent messages to her former partner accusing Ms Lovell of being "mean", demanding to know about a new partner, alleging her former wife was "cock-hunting" and calling Ms Lovell a c***" and a "f****** bitch".

The court also heard that Wallis had demanded £350,000 from Ms Lovell using an unknown phone number

In a different message, Wallis referred to her ex-wife and Ms Lovell's father as "prejudiced f******" and hoped they "never have a happy moment again".

In total, the former MP sent four messages and left one voice note.

The couple split in 2020 and finalised their divorce in 2024.

A victim impact statement from Ms Lovell said: "This is the hardest thing I have written, for so long I have had to fight against the tide of Jamie's behaviour, publicly and privately."

She added: "The woman I used to be is destroyed. I will never understand what I have done to deserve the hurt I have endured."

Ms Lovell went on to say the past six months had been "utterly devastating", adding that she feared Wallis arriving at her home and had consequently installed CCTV.

Wallis, wearing a black dress, looked down as the statement was read to the court.

Narita Bahra KC, appearing for the defence, said Wallis uses female pronouns, referring to Jamie as her "deadname".

As of last month, the former MP said her name was still legally Jamie, but she used the name Katie.

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Wallis's lawyer criticised the police and prosecutors for not dealing with the matter outside of court - adding that it was "unequivocal" her client had been suffering from mental health difficulties during the offending, partly brought on by her transitioning.

Ms Bahra said Wallis was suffering from PTSD, a depressive disorder and an adjustment disorder.

District Judge Rhys Williams handed Wallis a 12-month community order and a fine worth £1,264.

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Wallis admitted leaving the messages at a hearing in June, having previously denied the charges.

The former MP asked Ms Lovell for help in the final message, and claimed she was experiencing head pain.

Wallis was sectioned under the Mental Health Act after being found by police, and was later arrested and then charged.

Her plea changed when allegations of having driven by Ms Lovell's home were removed from the charge.

Wallis was previously convicted of driving offences in 2022 after crashing a car into a telegraph pole before fleeing the scene.