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A man caught having sex with a horse for the second time has left a family's pet shetland pony scared and defensive.

Isaac Cluley, 23, was convicted of bestiality charges at Leicester Crown Court on Wednesday leaving the judge asking if he has overpowering sexual interest in horses.

The court heard Cluley was prosecuted in 2016 for an earlier offence of having sex with a different horse, Leicester Live reports.

He pleaded guilty at an earlier hearing to one count of sexual penetration of a living animal last August and admitted possessing extreme pornography, including mobile phone footage of the pony.

Recorder William Edis QC said: "For the second time in your life you're before the court for having sexual intercourse with a horse and that – if I say no more – is an alarming picture.

"One thing I have to do as the judge is to try and work out why you've committed this unusual offence twice.

"Is it because you have overpowering sexual interest in horses?

"Is it a cry or help or attention seeking?"

Andrew Fitch-Holland, prosecuting, said a friend of the defendant's chanced upon the video on his phone when he used it to call his mum.

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Cluley, described as having learning difficulties, was in "considerable distress" following his arrest and officers were concerned for his wellbeing.

The defendant told them: "I want help with my mental health, it's why I've been drinking more lately."

The horse's owner attended court to read a personal impact statement.

She told the judge: "The fact someone was walking around and prepared to rape an animal on more than one occasion (because of the previous conviction) concerns me greatly."

The 44-year-old owner added: "I feel anxious because I don't know how many times it's happened."

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After the hearing, she said: "The pony was such a sweetie, so trusting, but is now wary and defensive.

"When she becomes scared and fearful – even by something normal like having a rug put on – it reminds me of what happened.

"If it was down to me he would be in custody now.

"I can only hope whatever his rehabilitation involves, that it works.

"I can't forgive what he did to a harmless animal, I've not heard anything to explain why he's done it and he's shown no remorse."

Cluley from Aylestone, Leicester, was given a six-month jail sentence, suspended for two years, with a 30-day rehabilitation activity requirement.

He will have to attend up to 40 days of a sex offender programme and pay the pony's owner £350 in compensation.

Cluley was also placed on a two-month electronically monitored home curfew, between 8pm and 8am.

He will be on a sex offender register for five years and was placed on a sexual harm prevention order, for the same duration – stipulating various conditions, including not entering a field, paddock or any animal enclosure where there is livestock, when he is on his own.

He is barred from working with animals in any capacity and cannot own or care for any animal without the permission of his offender manager.

• Animals
• Crime
• Courts

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