Three-year jail term for horse indecency

A MAN was sent to prison for three years yesterday for an indecent act with a horse.

In March last year, Leeroy Le Gallais, 46, was found guilty of attempting to interfere with the same animal and a three-year probation order was imposed. But the Royal Court heard yesterday how Le Gallais had visited the Castel stable again in April when the latest more serious offence was committed.

Crown Advocate Graeme McKerrell told how the owner of Calico - a 20-year-old bay gelding - had checked on the horse to settle it for the evening at about 6.30 on Friday 25 April.

'A horse rug was placed over the animal and secured with four straps,' said Advocate McKerrell. The owner returned at 7.15am the next day to find the rug lying on the floor and a stool that had been left outside the stable had been brought inside.

As a result of the previous incident the owner contacted police and Le Gallais was arrested at 1pm.

DNA from forensic samples found on the horse matched that of the defendant. Advocate Sara Mallett told the court that her client had cooperated with police throughout and had pleaded guilty to the offence at the first opportunity.

Le Gallais had learning difficulties, she said, and an IQ rated at between 63 and 70 - those below 69 are deemed to be 'extremely low'.

* Sitting as Magistrate, Mr Finch revoked the probation order and replaced it with a nine-month prison sentence to run concurrently.