A trans-identified male who groomed and then raped an 11-year-old girl was sentenced to 15 years in jail by a UK court on Monday.

Liverpool Crown Court heard how 51-year-old Aria Peers, a "support worker," bonded with the child when Peers still identified as a man over their shared love of Star Wars. Peers then touched the girl's breasts and genitals before making her use a sex toy and eventually raping her.

Peers, was arrested after the girl told her friends and teachers about the abuse she had been suffering, something that the judge presiding over the case commended her for. Peers was convicted on 2 counts of rape, attempted rape, 3 charges of sexual assault, and 2 offences of inciting a child to engage in sexual activity, Daily Mail reports. Peers denied all of the allegations.

During sentencing Judge Katherine Pierpoint told Peers, who now claims to be a woman, "You targeted a young female child for your own sexual gratification. The impact on her is untold."

Peers' defense lawyer Anthony O'Donahue told the court: "There is nothing I can say about the facts of the case. The defendant accepts that a significant, lengthy custodial sentence is inevitable in this case. The defendant has settled on the wing that she is on, and that is encouraging. That was a matter of some concern. The custodial experience for her in her particular circumstances is likely to be more difficult to navigate than in other, more usual, cases."

Judge Pierpoint stated during sentencing: "I accept that, in this case, there is an element of grooming with the close bond that you developed and took advantage of. It became more sinister, with you grooming her so that you could start to abuse her. You took the opportunity to fulfill your own sexual desires. You were disbelieved by the jury and convicted. You still deny these matters today. She is a brave young woman who, by coming forward, has stood up to you. I hope that, with the support of her family, she will be able to move on with her life."

"Prior to this, you worked as a support worker for a number of years. You have suffered with periods of anxiety and depression and have struggled with your gender identity throughout your life," she continued. "I appreciate that, as a transgender prisoner, there will be issues which you will have to navigate during the very long period of your sentence."

"You targeted a young female child for your own sexual gratification. The impact on her is untold. This was offending behaviour on numerous occasions over a period of time."

Peers had no prior convictions. Peers must serve at least two-thirds of the sentence before becoming eligible for release, and was additionally given an indefinite sexual harm prevention order, a lifelong restraining order, and will be required to sign the sex offenders' register for life.