A man was caught “clearly having sex” with a cow after a suspicious farmer set up a trap to stop him.
Liam Brown, 25, said he felt “ashamed and embarrassed” after surveillance equipment at the farm caught him creeping into the cowshed at midnight to get to the calf.
The animal’s owner, Ian Farwell, caught Brown with his trousers down and his hands on either side of the cow, Brown then tried to flee the scene but tripped and landed in another cow pen, where he was trampled on by several animals.
A DNA sample from the calf proved sexual intercourse had taken place on June 12 last year in Burton, Dorset.
Brown admitted the offence and was made to pay £600 in compensation by a judge who described it as a “very alarming, bizarre and worrying case”.
Mr Farwell had become suspicious that his cows were being interfered with after a string of suspicious incidents after which he found surgical gloves and items of clothing left behind, with several young calves dying in unexplained circumstances.
He and his family then decided to install CCTV in the barn in June and that was when Brown was caught in the act.
Mr Farwell told the court: “The calves would suddenly come down with injuries and a change in behaviour with no apparent reason. I knew something was not right but could not work out what was going on.
“Calves were becoming poorly and dying for no apparent reason. We had a well-trusted supplier but made demands on them to make checks. But it was due to the unthinkable actions of the defendant.
“The animals are really important to me, seeing them distressed was soul-destroying. It put a real strain on the family, we all blamed each other but the truth was something we could not comprehend.”
Matthew Mortimer, prosecuting, added: “CCTV was installed due to the frequency of the incidents and the family devised a plan as to what to do if someone was caught in the act, they would assemble surrounding the gates to ensure they could not escape then flick on the light. They believed they may only get one shot.
“When a cow is distressed it makes quite a distinctive noise. At 11.45pm on June 12 Ralph awoke hearing a calf making that distinctive noise. He went to get reception on his phone, viewed the CCTV and saw a figure chasing a calf with what looked like a belt in his hand.
“He called his dad and told him he was there. Emily and Ian Farwell moved to cover the entrance to the parlour. Emily saw the defendant with both arms around the animal and his trousers slightly lowered. She turned the light on. They saw the male figure’s hips moving back and forward, clearly having sex with the animal.”
Brown pleaded guilty to sexual penetration with a living animal and causing unnecessary suffering to a protected animal.
The court heard how he had no previous convictions and showed genuine remorse for the incident.
Olivia McGonigle, defending, said: “He doesn’t live anywhere near the farm and has no intention of working with livestock. He is living with his mother, but there is the possibility of him moving in with his girlfriend, who has been a very supportive person. He has expressed how remorseful he is. He is distressed by the pain he has caused.”
Ms McGonigle said he had no qualifications but was working with an agency and doing night shifts stacking shelves.
Judge Keith Cutler sentenced him to a three-year community order with rehabilitation requirements and 150 hours of unpaid work and ordered him to pay £600 compensation to the Farwells. He also made a disqualification order, preventing him from keeping livestock for ten years.
Judge Cutler said: “This is a very alarming, bizarre and worrying case. I am sure you will look back on it not only with shame and embarrassment but also with the resolve this will never happen again. Your actions did cause unnecessary suffering and distress to these animals.”
