A transgender police worker and vocal campaigner against transphobia appeared in court today charged with attempted murder.

Helen Doe, 52, of Montgomery Close, Mitcham, is in police custody after allegedly assaulting, Kenneth Doe, 64, believed to be her brother, at an address in Montgomery Close on Saturday.

Ms Doe has organised lectures for Croydon LGBT and led the Croydon Trans Group since deciding to start living as a woman four years ago.

Appearing in a Time Out feature in January 2013 about "Londoners who pressed the reset button on their world", she said: "From the age of five I didn’t enjoy being a boy.

"I loved playing girls’ games such as skipping and secretly wore girls’ clothes. As a teenager I fought with myself about what I felt I was expected to be.

"My struggle was so hard that three years ago I tried to commit suicide by electrocution.

"Eventually, I visited the Croydon Trans Group, which supports transsexuals. They saved my life and helped me decide to change my gender identity completely.

"I changed my name at work and then by deed poll. It felt good. Now I have lived as a woman for two years and recently received my new birth certificate."

Debbie Gray, from Croydon Trans Group, said Ms Doe works at Metropolitan Police Uniform Services in Mandela Way, off Old Kent Road.

Your Local Guardian:

Helen Doe (left) delivering Easter Eggs to children at King's College Hospital 

London Ambulance Service was called to the scene at about 2.50am on Saturday and treated Mr Doe for a head injury.

He was taken to a south London hospital as a priority.

Police said his injuries are not thought to be life-threatening.

Ms Doe is due to appear in Kingston Crown Court on Monday, July 21.