A man with “an unhealthy interest” in horses was found to be sexually abusing the animals after a stallion injured him while trying to mount him.

Corey Coleman, 26, assaulted two stallions and a mare at Ynyscrug Livery in Pantybrad, Rhondda Cynon Taf, where he helped out.

He was only caught after being found injured on the ground on 27 June 2024 in what Merthyr Tydfil Magistrates’ Court heard was “an element of instant karma”.

Coleman, of Llanharan, admitted two charges of subjecting a horse to sexual, physical and/or emotional abuse and two of failing to protect animals for which he was responsible and was given a 12-week prison sentence, suspended for 12 months.

Geraint Richards, prosecuting on behalf of the RSPCA, said despite suffering “serious injuries”, including to his back, in June, it was not long before Coleman was “back at the stables”.

When asked by stable owner Alex Hill about his injuries, Coleman suggested that “one of the stallions in the yard had attempted to mount him”.

This prompted him to check CCTV footage from 15 July that showed Coleman “teasing and arousing” a horse.

Footage from 27 June – the date he was injured – and 29 July also showed similar incidents, but the court heard it was hard to establish the details of what exactly was happening.

Mr Richards said the stables were “quite busy” and there were often “children in the vicinity” outside and it was likely the abuse had gone on “for many months”.

Daniel Mags, defending, admitted it was a “very unusual case”, and Coleman found it difficult to discuss the incidents because of his “embarrassment”.

He added his client had already suffered an “element of instant karma” following his injuries and accepted he had “an unhealthy interest” in horses.

Coleman was previously involved in an equine events organisation, but had “destroyed any future career of that nature” and was now having counselling.

The court heard the abused animals – stallions Benny and Bear and a mare called Nala – were “fit and healthy upon examination”.

Chairman of magistrates Jeffery Edwards said Coleman committed “numerous offences over a prolonged period of time” but there was a “prospect of rehabilitation”.

Coleman was also disqualified from owning, keeping or transporting horses, or participating in their keeping, for five years and ordered to pay costs of £474.