A transgender woman is facing jail after launching a ‘chilling’ kidnap attempt on a lone woman.

Safiya Anna Haverty, previously known as Sean Haverty, drove into the victim with a van before dragging her towards the vehicle and strangling her.

The victim managed to escape and alerted passers-by.

Haverty, 28, was this week found guilty by jurors at Winchester Crown Court of kidnapping, intentional strangulation, assault occasioning actual bodily harm and perverting the course of justice.

Haverty, who is pictured for the first time today after Hampshire Constabulary released her custody shot, previously pleaded guilty to dangerous driving.

The victim did not see her attacker’s face, so prosecutors proved Haverty’s identity through witness testimony, number plate evidence, mobile phone data and forensic enquiries, the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) said.

The incident happened on Micheldever Road near Andover, on March 2.

His Honour Judge Rufus Taylor advised the jury of Haverty’s name change and that the defendant, from Newquay in Cornwall, is biologically male and presenting as a woman in court.

Safiya Haverty, previously known as Sean, is facing jail over the ‘chilling’ kidnap attempt

Natalie Cheesman, of the CPS, said: ‘This was a chilling attack on a complete stranger.

‘Haverty drove to Hampshire before striking a lone woman with a van, dragging her towards the vehicle and strangling her.

‘Working closely with Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary, CPS prosecutors built a strong case using forensic and ANPR evidence, mobile phone data and eyewitnesses to prove Haverty was responsible.

‘We hope these convictions provide some reassurance to the victim that Haverty has been brought to justice.’

Haverty will be sentenced on November 13, and will likely be sent to a male prison, in line with Government policy, in the event that the judge passes an immediate custodial sentence.