A MAN has been jailed for having sex with a pony after creeping into its field in the night while high on drink and drugs.

Abdul Ghani’s DNA was found at the scene, Bradford Crown Court heard today.

Ghani, 52, of Beamsley Road, Frizinghall, Bradford, pleaded guilty to having intercourse with an animal in September, 2018, after reconnoitring the field in the Bradford area where the Shetland Pony and other horses lived.

Jailing him for ten months, Judge Andrew Hatton said: “Owners of horses and ponies are entitled to feel their animals are safe from people like you. The message must go out that this sort of grossly unnatural behaviour will not be considered for suspended sentences of imprisonment.”

Judge Hatton said it wasn’t an isolated act, it was ‘a well-planned and deliberate descent into bestiality.”

Prosecutor Michael Collins told the court that the police found 993 internet searches on Ghani’s phone about sex acts with animals, especially horses.

In August, 2018, the pony’s owners, a mother and daughter, became concerned about things found in the horses’ field shelter. There was a till receipt, a torch, a cucumber, a scrubbing brush and a bag of carrots.

The following month, the pony’s tail had hairs out of place, there was tape on it and a greasy substance on her back end. Black tape and bandage was found nearby and a lump of sugar, not something the owners would feed to their horses.

They reported matters to the police and the pony was examined by a vet. DNA was a match for Ghani.

A police officer on patrol in the area then saw a blue Toyota Yaris parked near the field. Inside the vehicle was a large cucumber, baby oil and a bag of carrots.

Then a black rucksack found in the field was found to contain apples and carrots, biscuits, rope and silver tape.

The Yaris was traced to Ghani who was arrested but said he had done nothing wrong. He told investigating officers he ‘loved the wild’ and would go out at night to watch owls and foxes.

When asked what the rope was for, he explained that it was to hoist himself up into trees to look at owls.

He made no comment when told that his DNA had been found.

He had seven convictions for 17 offences, mainly relating to drink, drug and driving offences, Mr Collins said.

He asked for compensation of £110 for the vet bill and a Criminal Behaviour Order banning Ghani from entering the land where the horses lived, or any other land where horses, ponies and donkeys were kept.

Jonathan Turner, Ghani’s barrister, said his client was overwhelmingly ashamed and embarrassed.

The offence was almost four years ago and he had led a law-abiding life since then.

Mr Turner conceded there was ‘little positive’ to be said about the offence except that the pony wasn’t injured.

Ghani was under the influence of alcohol and drugs when he visited the field. He had committed the offence because of them. He had been seen by a psychiatrist who did not find him to be mentally ill.

Mr Turner said that having sex with horses was not a fantasy for Ghani, just strange behaviour. He had spoken of feeling he was like something in a dream.

Judge Hatton said Ghani had denied the offence up until the day of his trial although the evidence against him was overwhelming.

He had made several visits to reconnoitre the field and brought food to make the pony more familiar of him. This demonstrated some planning and the very large number of internet searches on his phone showed his interest in bestiality with horses.

Although there had been a delay to sentence, Ghani could have been dealt with 18 months ago if he had pleaded guilty.

He was banned from driving for two years and five months and Judge Hatton made the Criminal Behaviour Order and the compensation order.

Ghani must sign on the sex offender register for ten years.