CONVICTED | (2022) | Abdul Ghafoor Ghani, born April 1997 of 28 Beamsley Road, Frizinghall, Bradford BD18 2DR – raped a pony after creeping into its field in the night while high on drink and drugs.
Corner shop owner Ghani pleaded guilty to having intercourse with an animal in September 2018, after reconnoitring the field in the Bradford area where the Shetland Pony and other horses lived.
Prosecutor Michael Collins told the court that the police found 993 internet searches on Ghani’s phone about sex acts with animals, especially horses.
In August, 2018, the pony’s owners, a mother and daughter, became concerned about things found in the horses’ field shelter. There was a till receipt, a torch, a cucumber, a scrubbing brush and a bag of carrots.
The following month, the pony’s tail had hairs out of place, there was tape on it and a greasy substance on her back end. Black tape and bandage was found nearby and a lump of sugar, not something the owners would feed to their horses.
They reported matters to the police and the pony was examined by a vet. DNA was a match for Ghani.
A police officer on patrol in the area then saw a blue Toyota Yaris parked near the field. Inside the vehicle was a large cucumber, baby oil and a bag of carrots.
Then a black rucksack found in the field was found to contain apples and carrots, biscuits, rope and silver tape.
The Yaris was traced to Ghani who was arrested but said he had done nothing wrong. He told investigating officers he ‘loved the wild’ and would go out at night to watch owls and foxes.
When asked what the rope was for, he explained that it was to hoist himself up into trees to look at owls.
He made no comment when told that his DNA had been found.
Ghani already had seven convictions for 17 offences, mainly relating to drink, drug and driving offences,.
Jonathan Turner, Ghani’s barrister, said his client was overwhelmingly ashamed and embarrassed.
The offence was almost four years ago and he had led a law-abiding life since then.
Mr Turner conceded there was ‘little positive’ to be said about the offence except that the pony wasn’t injured.
Ghani was under the influence of alcohol and drugs when he visited the field. He had committed the offence because of them. He had been seen by a psychiatrist who did not find him to be mentally ill.
Mr Turner said that having sex with horses was not a fantasy for Ghani, just strange behaviour. He had spoken of feeling he was like something in a dream.
Judge Andrew Hatton said Ghani had denied the offence up until the day of his trial although the evidence against him was overwhelming.
He had made several visits to reconnoitre the field and brought food to make the pony more familiar of him. This demonstrated some planning and the very large number of internet searches on his phone showed his interest in bestiality with horses.
Although there had been a delay to sentence, Ghani could have been dealt with 18 months earlier if he had pleaded guilty.
Judge Hatton added: “Owners of horses and ponies are entitled to feel their animals are safe from people like you. The message must go out that this sort of grossly unnatural behaviour will not be considered for suspended sentences of imprisonment.”
Judge Hatton said it wasn’t an isolated act, it was “a well-planned and deliberate descent into bestiality.”
Sentencing | 10 months in jail. Criminal Behaviour Order banning him from entering the land where the horses lived, or any other land where horses, ponies and donkeys were kept. He was banned from driving for two years and five months. Ghani must sign on the sex offender register for ten years. £110 compensation for the vet bill.
