Animal charities have expressed their outrage after a farmer – who had sex with his horse for a second time – walked free from court.
Noel Mitchell was first convicted of bestiality in 2013 but was given a community correction order. Mitchell, 67, committed the same offence again in January 2014.
He was caught after a neighbor caught him on camera attempting to abuse the horse, in Victoria, Australia.
In court, the judge put the blame upon those who were supposed to be supporting him and counseling him. He claimed Corrections Victoria had been “deficient” in their support.
He added: “I’m disappointed Corrections made no directions for counselling of any kind. “It was part and parcel of the magistrates’ order.”
Although Mitchell denied the offence at first, he later gave a guilty plea and was handed another community correction order, of 18 months, and told he most complete 100 hours of community service.
In court Mitchell said he was ashamed of his actions.