Shropshire sex case man banned from keeping animals

Graham Redfearn, of no fixed abode, had previously admitted two charges of sexual activity with a horse and dogs and two charges of possessing extreme pornographic images.

Redfearn was yesterday given a Sexual Offenders Prevention Order for 10 years, a Community Supervision Order for three years and entered on to a Community Sex Offending Programme when he appeared for sentencing at Shrewsbury Crown Court.

The 41-year-old, who had been placed on the Sexual Offender's Register in 1998 after admitting gross indecency with a five-year-old child, was also told he could not have access to the internet, would not be allowed to own or keep animals and, if offered work with animals within the next five years, he must make the employer aware of his offences.

Mr Phillip Beardwell, prosecuting, said that Redfearn was living in a caravan, on a small holding near Wem, when his landlady told police there had been a burglary on her premises.

"They attended and saw the defendant who they arrested on suspicion of burglary," said Mr Beardwell.

"As a result of this, police searched his caravan where they found mobile phones which contained pornographic images."

Mr Beardwell added: "All the activity was filmed on camera, with commentary, and it appears this was not just for his benefit."

The court heard that three further videos were found which showed Redfearn abusing a horse called Ambrose.

"He claimed he was experimenting," said Mr Beardwell.

"This is not the case. He did it for his own gratification."

It was revealed in court that the night before Redfearn's court appearance he had placed an advert on social networking site Facebook looking for work as a groom or stablehand.

"He did this," said Mr Beardwell, "despite being aware that he was to appear in court for sentencing. It is clear that this defendant continues to show an interest in animals."

Mr Steven Scully, for Redfearn, said that his client had been abused as a child.

"He is deeply ashamed of what he has done," said Mr Scully.

Sentencing Redfearn, Judge Peter Barrie said: "There are unhappy factors in your background that contributed to these offences. There is no evidence that you were disseminating the images in any way or that the animals were distressed."