A MAN who was found in a stable later admitted to police he had sex with the horse kept there.

Blackburn magistrates heard Shane Trafford Taylor-Waters was cautioned for the same offence when he was a teenager.

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Taylor-Waters, 36, of Foster Street, Accrington, pleaded guilty to sexual penetration of an animal. He was bailed for the preparation of a pre-sentence report on condition he doesn’t go within 100m of Town Bent stables in Oswaldtwistle.

Philippa White, prosecuting, said Bernadette Hilary kept horses at the livery yard and went to see to her animals on the day of the offence in November. There was a dog running round the yard and she shouted out if there was anyone there who was responsible for the animal.

“A man came out of a the stable block and she recognised him as a member of staff at a shop,” said Mrs White. “He said he had heard a firework and had gone to calm down one of the horses. He was asked to leave.”

After he left Mrs Hilary went about seeing to her horses and noticed a ‘substance’ on the back leg of one of her horses and cleaned it off with a tissue before contacting the police.

“They told her to recover the tissue and inquiries were commenced,” said Mrs White When he was first interviewed Taylor-Waters stuck with his claim that he had been trying to calm the horse.

“In a second interview he admitted carrying out a sexual act with a horse and also admitted that he had recorded the event on his mobile phone,” said Mrs White.

“His only previous matter was a caution for similar behaviour in 1997.”

Richard Prew, defending, said his client needed help rather than punishment.

“My client says he made images so he could look back with revulsion at what he had done rather than show it to someone else,” said Mr Prew.

“Since his second police interview he has sought psychiatric help and it is clear he needs help rather than punishment. It is not a straightforward case and the bench should have the fullest information before sentencing.”

The offence carries up to two years in prison at the Crown Court and six months and/or an unlimited fine if sentenced at the magistrates.