A TEENAGE transsexual was locked up yesterday after he admitted killing his gay lover in a row over a sex change operation.

Karen Lawson, 19, who changed his name by deed poll from Mark Lawson, had denied murdering 43-year-old Michael Cutler.

Yesterday Lawson, who confessed to suffocating and strangling his partner, dramatically halted the trial after pleading guilty to an alternative charge of manslaughter on the grounds of provocation.

Lawson, originally from Teesdale, County Durham, told Manchester Crown Court how he strangled Mr Cutler with a pair of ladies tights, adding: "I didn't mean to kill him."

Lawson's decision to change his plea came towards the end of the prosecution's four-day case.

It was accepted by the Crown, and Lawson, formerly of Stainton Grove, Barnard Castle, was ordered to be detained for five years.

He was told by Mr Justice Colman: "This has been a deeply disturbing and distressing case for everyone concerned with it.

"You attacked your partner after his words and conduct caused you to lose your self-control when suffering from Gender Identity Disorder.

"The most important thing in your life then was a sex change operation and what he said and did saw you completely lose control."

Mr Cutler's body was found three weeks later in the flat they shared in Beechcroft Crescent, Prestwich, Greater Manchester.

It was so badly decomposed that the cause of death could not be determined.

The court heard how Mr Cutler, formerly of Turnbull Street, Hartlepool, had agreed to fund expensive sex change treatment - an operation Lawson had wanted for many years.

Lawson told police Mr Cutler then changed his mind and cancelled a direct debit plan to pay for treatment arranged at a Prestwich clinic.

Lawson told how he suddenly "snapped" when Mr Cutler struck him and said the operation would ruin their relationship.

He used a pillow to try to suffocate him before strangling him with a pair of ladies tights.

John Rowe, QC, prosecuting, said the killing happened in March last year. A few days later Lawson returned to the North-East, and was arrested in Hartlepool on April 9.

He initially denied involvement, but later confessed, saying he had been provoked by his partner's behaviour.

The court earlier heard from a psychiatrist who said Lawson was suffering from Gender Identity Disorder - seeing himself as a woman while having the body of a man.

Mr Rowe said Lawson claimed the row with Mr Cutler brought back unhappy memories of past ill treatment at the hands of his stepfather, at a time when he was considering a sex change and had obtained women's clothing.

Earlier, the court heard Mr Cutler, a homosexual, had introduced Lawson to friends as his new partner late in 1999.

The men moved to Manchester after a visit to the Albany Clinic, Prestwich. Lawson saw a doctor and was seeking full gender reassignment and sex reassignment surgery.

Treatment was arranged at a cost of £200 a month for a year. No payments were made.

Troubled loner - Page 3