Man caught s3xually abusing horses at stables where he volunteered

Monday, July 7, 2025 - A man was caught on CCTV s£xually abusing horses at a stables where he was a volunteer. 

Corey Coleman, 26, admitted he had an "unhealthy interest" in horses after footage from Ynyscrug livery yard in Tonyrefail, south Wales, revealed the sickening acts. 

Merthyr Tydfil Magistrates' Court heard that he regularly gave up his time to help look after the horses, and was well known to staff at the yard. 

On June 27, 2024, he was discovered lying down in a passageway at the stables with a serious back injury. 

He was rushed to hospital with spinal fractures and given a back brace, but continued to volunteer. When owner Alex Hill asked him about how he was injured, he claimed a stallion had tried to mount him, WalesOnline reports. 

RSPCA prosecutor Geraint Richards said: "As a result, Mr Hill decided to view the CCTV. What he saw concerned him enough to look deeper into it." 

Upon looking at the footage from Coleman's visits on July 15 and 29, he found evidence of the disturbing incidents. 

Mr Richards said: "He was using a mare who appeared to be in season, moving her close to the stable, to tease and arouse a stallion. 

"Mr Coleman then entered the stable and started m@sturbating the stallion, subsequently inserting his fingers into the stallion's anus. The same behaviour was shown on another two dates in June and July." 

After police were called, Coleman was arrested and made an "unsolicited" remark to officers that his actions were "part of the cleaning", the court was told. 

He pleaded guilty to causing unnecessary suffering to two stallions, called Bear and Benny, by s£xually abusing them, failing to ensure the welfare of the same horses, and failing to ensure the welfare of a mare named Nala, who was exposed to a risk of injury from the stallions. 

Mr Richards said the footage showed children playing outside the stables, who could potentially have walked in during the abuse. 

He added: "The horses' behaviour during the incidents showed they had been conditioned to be used to this sort of attention. It is likely this had gone on for many months." 

Coleman's lawyer Daniel Maggs said this was "a very unusual case to say the least" but asked magistrates to consider his client's previously unblemished record. 

He said: "He is currently on sickness benefits due to the back injury he sustained in the commission of these offences, so there was an element of instant karma. 

"One of the biggest punishments, aside from the physical injury, is that this will all become public knowledge in the community, causing a lasting impact on his reputation and future job prospects. He has discussed with me that he may have to move to a different location to get away from the public opinion of him." 

The court also heard that Coleman intended to pursue a career working with horses, but realised his hopes had been ruined by his own actions. 

Mr Maggs added: "He has been with his girlfriend for nine years. That relationship is, it would be fair to say, on the rocks."
In a pre-sentencing interview with the probation service, Coleman refused to confirm whether he had any s£xual interest in horses. 

But his solicitor said: "He finds it very difficult to discuss this with others due to embarrassment. 

"He has accepted he has an unhealthy interest, and although he never intended to cause horses pain he accepts through his actions he did cause unnecessary suffering. 

"He is waiting to speak to a counsellor at the moment but there is not a great deal of support for issues of this nature. There is no indication that his interests extend to other species of animal." 

Both the prosecution and defence agreed it was challenging to assess the level of "mental stress" caused to the horses. Mr Maggs explained they suffered no permanent injuries. 

Presiding Justice Jeffrey Edwards said Coleman's offending was aggravated by the "numerous incidents over a prolonged period of time" though he also considered Coleman's "lack of maturity" and his clean character and prospect of rehabilitation. 

He sentenced him to 12 weeks in prison, suspended for 12 months, as well as 25 days of rehabilitation and an order banning Coleman from owning, keeping or transporting horses for five years. 

The court heard Coleman had been "relying on his partner and parents to meet his everyday costs" as well as receiving sickness benefits. 

The magistrates also ordered he pay a £120 fine, £154 victim services surcharge and a contribution of £200 towards the RSPCA's £1,500 prosecution costs. The remainder of the costs will be paid from central funds.