GROUP SENTENCED AFTER VIDEOING THEMSELVES COMMITTING 'DISGRACEFUL' SEXUAL ABUSE OF FAMILY DOG
Two men and a woman have been sentenced for a series of sexual offences, including actions described as "disgraceful" as they sexually abused a dog.Guernsey Magistrate's Court heard how Peter Leigh, 73, Ian Chatting-Tonks, 63, and Elaine Pasquier, 67, filmed the incident using two cameras on 4 September 2018.
They forced the dog, which belonged to Chatting-Tonks, to undertake various sexual acts, which caused "visible signs of emotional and psychological distress" to the canine.
Leigh, whose behaviour was described as "utterly deviant" by Judge Catherine Fooks, was sentenced to two years and 10 weeks in prison.
The other two defendants received community service orders - Chatting-Tonks will undertake 220 hours, Pasquier 170 hours.
All three pleaded guilty to all offences.
Crown Advocate Chris Dunford told the court how the States Vet inspected the videos to understand the psychological effect on the dog.
All three defence advocates expressed remorse.
Leigh's advocate explained the group arranged to have sex amongst themselves, and any sexual contact with the dog was not pre-planned.
Leigh was described as having "liberal and unusual sexual predilections," but some actions were deemed not illegal.
Chatting-Tonks's defender called it a "distorted sexual experiment" and an isolated incident.
Pasquier's lawyer stated her client was unaware the video would be kept.
A separate hearing revealed videos and messages on Leigh's devices, including one from 2017 depicting a woman with a Great Dane dog, and messages with Chatting-Tonks involving photos of a 16-year-old girl, including an unsolicited photo of his penis.
Leigh and Chatting-Tonks pleaded guilty to breaking animal welfare law and telecommunications offences.
Leigh and Pasquier also admitted to public indecency in separate incidents.
In her sentencing, Judge Fooks said their tastes "blurred sexual boundaries." They will be disqualified from owning a dog for ten years.
