A DOUBLE rapist who had a £10,000 NHS sex change in prison has been moved to a women’s jail.

Jessica Winfield, born Martin Ponting, attacked two girls and is now in HMP Bronzefield, Surrey.

4 Jessica Winfield will now serve her life sentence at HMP Bronzefield, Surrey Credit: PA:Press Association

One of Winfield’s victims last night told The Sun: “He may have changed physically but his brain is still the same.”

The woman, one of two girls attacked by Martin Ponting, added: “To assume the identity of a woman after what he did is a kick in the teeth.”

Dad-of-three Ponting, 50, became Jessica Winfield in prison after being jailed for life in 1995.

4 HMP Bronzefield is a Cat A adult and young offender institution exclusively for females Credit: PA:Press Association Archive

She was moved from top-security HMP Whitemoor, Cambs, to women-only HMP Bronzefield in Ashford, Surrey, and is hoping to be released this year.

But prison bosses have been hit with a backlash from female inmates — with one even threatening to self-harm to get away from Winfield.

The victim said last night: “There are not enough words to describe him and the evil he has done. It is diabolical they have allowed him to have a sex change and diabolical that he could be freed this year.

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“He may have changed physically but his brain is still the same.

“You can change somebody’s genitals but it’s not going to take away the urge and impulse inside them to do horrific things to children.

“I feel like it mocks the people he offended against. It is a kick in the teeth for me and his other victim.”

The woman bravely visited her abuser five years ago in prison as part of a bid to get closure. But she was stunned to see the man who attacked her dressed as a woman. She said: “I had no idea what was going on. He was sat there wearing a wig and make-up. He had boobs.”

Transgender cons first won the right to have gender surgery in 1999.

Lifer and convicted kidnapper John Pilley, now 64, and five other lags launched legal action to have surgery on the NHS.

4 One of Winfield's victims described the situation as 'diabolical' Credit: Andreas Praefcke / Wikipedia

Pilley had the op in 2001 and was moved from Gartree, Leics, to London’s Holloway women’s prison. In 2009 a High Court ruling paved the way for transgender cons to move to different sex jails following a human rights claim.

Now, prisoners who decide to switch sex while serving a sentence can apply to make the move.

The Sun revealed last month how Soham killer Ian Huntley is exploring the process and has asked fellow prisoners to call him “Lian”.

Bronzefield is Europe’s largest female jail with 527 lags, and counts Rose West and Karen Matthews among its former inmates.

4 Winfield's own brother says 'throw away the key' Credit: Alamy

Winfield’s brother Nigel, 49, told The Sun: “The best they could do is throw away the key. He is a menace to the public and people need to be warned about him.” David Hines, founder of the Victimcare charity, said he was “irate” at the decision to fund the £10,000 op for Winfield, from Cirencester, Gloucs.

He added: “Support charities are struggling to make ends meet and get no help from the Government, but prisoners get all the luxuries they could possibly ask for.”

Karen Danczuk, ex-wife of Labour MP Simon, was raped by her brother Michael Burke between the ages of 11 and her mid-teens.

She told The Sun last night: “There is no ongoing support for people abused in childhood — it is a vital tool being denied to victims.”