A woman accused of duping another female into having sex during a 'two-year relationship' by pretending to be a man claims the alleged victim knew her gender from the start.

Blade Silvano, 40, gave evidence today (Thurs) and denied she tricked the unnamed victim into having sexual intercourse with her on at least two occasions.

She claims she was 'open' about her gender from the beginning and, although medically a 'woman' on her birth certificate, didn't define herself this way.

She told the jury she was 'pansexual' would often use the title 'Doctor' which she claimed she was entitled to do after completing an online PHD in ancient Greek history.

After meeting on a dating site 2016, prosecutors said Silvano would have sex at her victim's home - although she never allowed her to see or touch "his" genitalia.

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The alleged victim said she reported Silvano to cops after discovering her true gender and said she never consented to having sex with a woman.

She said she believed she was being 'penetrated' by a man and the defendant would cover themselves up in a t-shirt and boxers and claims their relationship was so serious they had even started planning a wedding.

Silvano, of Bishop's Castle, denies two counts of assault by penetration.

Giving evidence she said she never met the complainant in person and their relationship was "online only" and was all about "roleplay and fantasy" that they both used for escapism.

In her second police interview, Silvano accepted they had strong feelings for each other.

County Times:

But she maintained it was a 'fantasy and 'roleplay' and added: "She knew I was female, again it was the roleplay.

"We were both having problems at home and it was like our escapism. But we did speak normally as well - that was our roleplay, just getting away from normal everyday life."

Silvano was then questioned on messages that read: "Oh, isn't that what a big strong handsome guy is meant to do?" and her reply "I am weak, tired and a boy."

She told cops: "This was our roleplay - she wanted that. It doesn't mean it actually happened. She can tell I'm not male. Her referring to me as a man is roleplay.

"She knew from the start."

She said she was born a woman but did not define herself that way and liked to be known as Dr rather than Ms or Miss.

She added: "My birth certificate says I'm female but I am who I am."

When asked about messages referring to times they had actually spent together, she added: "That was just talking - we never actually spent a night together.

"She knows exactly who I am. She is trying to get me done."

Silvano acknowledged they had spoken about a wedding but added it was "not in the real world."

She added: "We looked at things and thought 'this is fun' - bouncy castles, we've looked at houses.

County Times:

"But it was not in the real world, getting married."

Michael Hillman, for the prosecution, earlier said Silvano continued to hide her true identity after they first met in person in December 2016 by using an "unknown item" during sex.

The shocked victim only discovered her 'lover's' true gender through Facebook nearly two years later after they had postponed a planned wedding due to the defendant's supposed 'illness', the trial heard.

Giving evidence in person for the defence today, Silvano confirmed she had "never served in the army" and the picture of her in uniform was her wearing her step daughter's cadet outfit.

She also said she had a number of ongoing health issues but although she had been tested for cancer she said she had never been diagnosed with it.

Silvano said the breakdown in contact came when the alleged victim discovered she was already in a relationship with Jan Silvano.

She added: "(She) contacted me saying she was going to get me done for rape. I said 'why?' we haven't met. She kept saying it was not fair so I told Jan about it. Then I made a complaint online to the police."

During cross examination, Mr Hillman put it to her she never completed the PHD she claimed she did.

He said: "You did not complete a PHD - it is a lie. You call yourself doctor because for one reason it is gender neutral."

Mr Hillman asked her about messages referencing "my darling husband" and "my darling wifey."

He said: "You embarked on plans to get married."

Silvano claimed she only knew the complainant had paid the deposit for the registrar after it had been done as she just "wanted to get more information about the place."

She added: "I cannot understand why she paid the deposit."

Mr Hillman told her: "She was head over heels in love with you and you exploited that with your constant lies, stringing her along."

Silvano responded: "It was escapism from normal life."

The trial continues.