Gayle Newland, 25, has been sentenced to eight years behind bars after posing as a man to have sex with her female friend.

In September, the court heard that Newland posed as a man and tricked her friend into a two year long sexual relationship, using a swimsuit and strap-on prosthetic penis to conceal her identity.

Today, Newland was handed out her sentence of eight years in prison. Judge Roger Dutton said Newland was “an intelligent, obsessional, highly manipulative, deceitful, scheming and thoroughly determined young woman”.

According to the complainant, Newland posed as a man called “Kye Fortune” on Facebook and the two quickly struck up an online friendship before meeting in person.  “Kye” was supposedly recovering from a brain tumour and was covered in scars. As he was quite self conscious about his appearance, he asked if she could wear a blindfold when they met. “Kye” continued to insist that the victim wear the blindfold for their entire two year relationship and the victim complied.

“Every time I met up with Kye Fortune, I either had the mask on already or he would wait outside the door and I would put it on,” the accuser said. “I was so desperate to be loved. It’s pathetic, so desperate for love, so desperate.”

The judge added, “These offences are so serious that only an immediate custodial sentence would in any way properly reflect the serious nature of your conduct. As an aspect of mercy, I do not increase the starting point beyond eight years.”