Jail for goat sex attacker

A man was jailed for six months today after a train-load of commuters saw him having sex with a goat.

Stephen Hall, 23, tied his belt around a female goat's neck at allotments in Hull before having penetrative sex with the animal on August 8 last year.

Commuters on the Hull-to-Bridlington train, which had stopped at nearby signals, watched in horror before calling the emergency services on their mobile telephones.

After initially denying the charge and ordering an identification parade, Hall pleaded guilty to one count of buggery with an animal in January.

Forensic tests matched semen taken from Hall's clothing to that found at the scene. Samples of the goat's hairs were also found in his underpants.

Sentencing Hall, Judge Michael Mettyear at Hull Crown Court, described the incident as "bizarre and disgusting".

The court was told that a pre-sentence report on Hall suggested he should be barred from associating with children although Judge Mettyear said he had no power to make that order.

He said: "Since the beginning of last year the court has the power to order that you should not work with children. However this only relates to cases where the offence concerns a child. I would like to be able to make such an order.

"It seems to me that a judge should have the power to make such an order if they believe that a person poses a threat to a child."

Reading from the pre-sentence report, Mr Mettyear said Hall had shown evidence of being "preoccupied with sex", having "emotional instability" and problems maintaining relationships.

Referring to a previous conviction for indecent assault against a six-year-old girl the report said: "Mr Hall targets vulnerable victims, a child in the first instance and now an animal."