Joanne Bentley, 50, bumped into the victim in a ‘chance meeting’ at Tesco Express in Ulverston on June 21 last year, South Cumbria Magistrates’ Court heard.
Prosecutor Peter Kelly said CCTV captured the defendant engaging in a conversation with her husband, who is currently in the process of trans gendering, in a shopping aisle at the store.
Mr Kelly said the defendant, who is undergoing divorce proceedings with the victim, continually shouted: “His name is Richard, she has a penis,” as the complainant attempted to walk away.
The court heard the catalyst for the offence was a third party becoming involved after the defendant made a comment relating to their house they once shared together.
Mr Kelly told the court a member of staff at the store was forced to intervene and tell the defendant not to shout such abuse.
Bentley, of Steel Street, Askam, admitted using threatening/abusive/insulting words/behaviour to cause harassment/alarm/distress.
A victim impact statement said: “I am very nervous about going out by myself. This has brought back my anxiety and depression.
“I am petrified because this has happened before. I feel I need to scan my environment in case she is there as I do not what she will do.”
The court was told both parties had non-molestation orders granted against one another.
Solicitor Trystan Roberts said his client was finding it difficult to deal with matrimonial difficulties.
Mr Roberts added: “This is an unusual case and a difficult situation. It is clear there are a number of issues involved here.
“She has tried her best to be supportive of the complainant given the circumstances.
“This was a chance meeting. She accepts she has approached the complainant, spoken to her and given her a hug, which is reciprocated.
“She regrets stooping to that level. It was stress and anxiety on her behalf. This was not a traditional hate crime.
“This was a relatively short-lived incident, but she accepts her actions would have caused some anxiety and distress.”
District Judge Arlegh Davies fined Bentley £200 for the offence and did not deem it was necessary to impose a restraining order in the case.
She was also ordered to pay court costs of £85, as well as an £80 victim surcharge.
