Man placed on sex offenders' register for abusing dog

A MAN who recorded himself sexually abusing his pet Staffordshire bull terrier on his mobile phone has been placed on probation and on the sex offenders' register for two years.

John Kerr, 30, was also prohibited from keeping any domestic animals as pets unless with the permission of his supervising social worker.

Kerr, of Dunedin Harbour, Parliament Street, Edinburgh, had pleaded guilty previously at the city's Sheriff Court to having an unnatural connection with the dog between 1 April and 22 November last year at an address in Kirk Street, Edinburgh. Sentence was deferred until yesterday for background reports.

Fiscal depute Aidan Higgins said Kerr told police that the video clips were the only occasions the offences had taken place.

Defence solicitor John Good told Sheriff Fiona Reith QC there was no clear explanation for the offences. There was some history of depression over a ten-year period for which his client had received treatment.

Sentencing Kerr, Sheriff Reith said the public interest would be best served and protected by the imposition of a period of intensive supervision. She placed him on probation for two years with special conditions. She also ordered him to register as a sex offender for the period of his probation.