A transgender criminal is fighting to get two convictions removed from her record because they reveal that she was born male.

The woman, named only as Helen, was convicted for 'importuning as a man' when she worked at a Soho 'clip joint' in the 1970s and 1980s.

She wants to keep them secret fearing employs may discriminate against her if they look at her record and see she is transgender.

A transgender criminal is fighting to get two convictions removed from her record because they reveal that she was born male (stock image)

Her barrister told The Sunday Times the disclosure of offences is a 'severe and discriminatory interference with Helen's right to respect for her private life'.

Christopher Stacey, director of Unlock, a group which supports people with criminal records, wants the law to be changed because it risks 'outing' transgender people.

But critics say the convictions should not be removed because it would provide a dangerous precedent, potentially allowing rapists to legally change their gender and then apply to have their record wiped.

Nicola Williams, of Fair Play for Women, fears any change could open up a 'huge loophole.'