A trans woman who persistently stalked and threatened the surgeon responsible for her gender reassignment surgery has been sentenced to jail. The case reveals a disturbing saga that unfolded over several years, profoundly affecting the surgeon’s personal and professional life.
Vivienne Taylor, 28, confessed to the prolonged harassment of Tina Rashid. Her actions, which spanned four years, were described in court as having significant repercussions on Dr. Rashid’s work, family, and social interactions.
The unsettling behavior began shortly after Taylor underwent gender reassignment surgery in Putney, London, in 2021. Isleworth Crown Court heard how Taylor’s conduct quickly turned erratic post-surgery.
Initially, Taylor expressed gratitude by gifting Dr. Rashid a cake and collecting numerous photos of the surgeon on her phone. However, her admiration soon morphed into an unhealthy obsession, leading to her being detained under the Mental Health Act.
In a later episode, Taylor was admitted to Chelsea and Westminster Hospital due to complications. Here, she insisted on being treated exclusively by Dr. Rashid, even resorting to threats of self-harm if her demands were not met.
Judge Giles Curtis-Raleigh noted that Taylor had developed an intense fixation on Dr. Rashid, despite their relationship being strictly professional. This case underscores the challenges faced by medical professionals in maintaining boundaries while providing care to vulnerable individuals.
He jailed Taylor for 14 months and ordered her to pay a £187 victim surcharge.
It was heard that Ms Rashid was left suffering with ‘anxiety most days’ and fearing for her safety amid Taylor’s obsession.
Vivienne Taylor (pictured), 28, admitted stalking Tina Rashid in actions which stretched across four years and impacted her work, family, and social life
The stalking involved turning up at Ms Rashid’s hospital unannounced claiming she was under the doctor’s care, sending unwanted emails suggesting they should ‘catch up’ and trying to connect with her on LinkedIn.
On one occasion, Taylor threatened to batter ‘Ms Rashid’ – a highly respected surgeon – in a threatening message.
In her victim impact statement, the doctor revealed that she had to take extreme precautions on her commute to work in a bid to avoid her former patient.
She said: ‘I have considered very carefully whether I was in a fit state to operate safely and if I would have to wake that patient up before their surgery.’
Ms Rashid resorted to wearing a cap or a hood to avoid recognition, as well as staying late in the office and paying £60 for Ubers.
She added: ‘I have young children living with me and I also fear for their safety.’
The doctor was left feeling scared to socialise before Taylor was eventually arrested in November 2025, giving her what she described as a ‘freeing feeling’.
The judge read aloud the last ‘threatening and aggressive’ message that Taylor sent earlier that month. Referring to Ms Rashid and her partner, the stalker wrote: ‘I’m going to batter both of you evil c**** and make you suffer.’
Taylor has shown some ‘element of remorse’ but the judge added: ‘Although you apologise at times, and say you understand the impact, you also sought to put blame on her for putting you in prison, which causes me concern.’
Taylor has ‘limited and fluctuating insight’ into her actions, which even included trying to contact Ms Rashid while she was behind bars in a bid to convince her to drop the charges, the judge said.
It was heard at Isleworth Crown Court this week that Taylor, of Wirral, Cheshire, began acting strangely soon after undergoing reassignment surgery in Putney, London , in 2021
The court heard she has suffered breakdowns in her mental health, but her actions ‘impinged on Ms Rashid’s work, family and every aspect of her life’.
While in custody last month, Taylor demanded to be moved from the category B male prison HMP Wandsworth to an all-women prison.
She told the court: ‘I have a female recognition certificate. I am a female, and should be treated as such.’
Taylor argued she should be held in HMP Bronzefield ‘or another female establishment,’ but Judge Hannah Duncan said the prisoner had no say over where she should be held.
‘I will leave that to people who are qualified to make these decisions,’ the judge said.
