Horse sex attacker is jailed

A man who admitted sexually assaulting a horse in Redenhall has been jailed for 14 months.

Alan Blackman admitted trespass with intent to commit a sexual offence and attempt of sexual penetration by a person with a living animal, at an earlier hearing at Norwich Crown Court in September.

Blackman, 31, of no fixed address, was arrested after he was identified in a police CCTV appeal following an incident at farm stables in Redenhall, on August 6. During the incident, a horse was subjected to an attack which lasted more than an hour. The horse sustained wounds that later required veterinary treatment.

Blackman was arrested on August 18 and taken into police custody for questioning. He was later charged.

Speaking after sentencing, Detective Sergeant Alison Clabon said: “This was a shocking attack, which was not only distressing for the horse, but for the owners too.

“Blackman targeted a defenceless animal causing serious injuries, which is particularly harrowing. No one or no animal deserves to endure this kind of attack. Crimes such as this are very rare and today’s sentencing will hopefully send out a strong message that this sort of criminality will not be tolerated and the justice system will come down hard on those who feel they can get away with such a horrifying crime.”