Galashiels man jailed for having sex with pony

Jordan Turnbull, who is 28, and his 20-year-old friend Joshua Lee-Paterson each admitted having an “unnatural connection” with separate horses at Cothal Farm in Fintray.

Turnbull’s offence was committed between October and December 2018, while Lee-Paterson committed bestiality between October and November the same year.

A third male, Mark Findlater, 34, admitted a charge of distributing “obscene material” of his co-accused “engaging in sexual activities with horses” and was jailed for 13 months and two weeks.

Fiscal depute Colin Neilson said the incident happened in a small wooden stable in a field and that all three men were known to each other.

At the time, the Shetland ponies – named Jack and Ruby – were owned by Findlater, who was in a relationship with Turnbull.

The court heard that between October 1 and December 31 2018, Turnbull carried out acts of bestiality on one of the horses. The acts were filmed on a mobile phone.

Between October 1 and November 29 2018, Lee-Paterson also carried out similar acts on one of the horses.

An air compression device was also used. Again, the acts were filmed on a mobile phone.

Between January 17 and February 11 2020, Findlater sent a number of packages to people containing letters “describing the acts of bestiality undertaken by the co-accused” along with images depicting the acts.

Lee-Paterson was traced and arrested on February 5, 2020 and, during the police interview, said he had been “coerced into carrying out the acts on the horse by Findlater”.

Lawyer Mathew Patrick, appearing for Turnbull, said his client had also been pressured into committing the offence.

He explained Turnbull suffered from psychological difficulties, and added: “It does seem to me he’s easily open to suggestion and easily led and I wouldn’t be surprised at all if that played some part in this.”

Sheriff Philip Mann jailed Findlater, of Sidlaw Range, Kirriemuir, for 13 months and two weeks. The sheriff highlighted his record and said he should not have subjected people to the “disgusting material”.

Lee-Paterson, of Bell Place, Bagshot in England, was handed 18 months supervision and 225 hours of unpaid work as an alternative to custody. He was also made subject to the notification requirements of the Sexual Offences Act for 18 months.

Turnbull, of Meigle Street, Galashiels, was jailed for seven months and made subject to the notification requirements for 10 years.