Supervision order for man who had sex with horse

A PERVERT who had sex with a horse was spared jail when sentenced at crown court today (Friday, January 28).

Derek Woods, 26, was handed a two-year supervision order and told not to go within a mile of the East Devon stable and paddock where he subjected a mare to depraved acts on more than one occasion.

Woods, who lives in Alphington, Exeter, pleaded guilty to a charge of unlawfully having sex with a horse on March 3 last year, and two more of causing unnecessary suffering to an animal on December 18, 2009, and August 9 2010.

While passing sentence at Exeter Crown Court this morning, Judge Paul Darlow branded Woods acts as “deviant and deplorable.”

The court heard how Exmouth detectives deployed a CCTV sting in a stable to catch the culprit.

Scotsman Woods targeted a stable and paddock in Clyst St George, off the A3052.

The court heard how the horse’s owner found Woods asleep in the barn on one occasion and noticed injuries to the animal that sparked concerns it had been “interfered with.”

The stable owner and Exmouth CID officers employed “various tactics” including CCTV and an alarm to catch the culprit, said prosecutor Gareth Evans.

Woods’ DNA was recovered from the scene.

Cops arrested him when he triggered an alarm at the stable in August. Officers raced to the location and found him inside.

CCTV images from that night showed Woods entering the location. He was seen committing a vile act on a horse, before kneeling on an overturned bin and attempting another.

When the upset horse moved away he tried the same with an animal in the neighbouring stable.

Vets who viewed the footage said the horses showed clear signs of distress, added the prosecutor.

Mitigating, Nigel Wraith told magistrates Woods had been drunk when he carried out the acts.

He added: “He (Woods) is unable, more likely unwilling, to discuss the reasons behind his offending.”

Judge Darlow also ordered Woods to attend an alcohol specified activity requirement.