ISAAC CLULEY SENTENCED IN LEICESTER FOR HORSE SEXUAL ABUSE CASE
Isaac Cluley, 23, was recorded on his mobile phone engaging in an indecent act with a Shetland pony, a discovery that led to his arrest and subsequent legal proceedings.The animal owner emotionally addressed the court, accusing Cluley of having "raped" her family's beloved pet pony.
She made this heartfelt statement prior to Cluley's sentencing for his "unusual" criminal behavior.
Cluley pleaded guilty at an earlier hearing to one count of sexual penetration of a living animal in August.
He also admitted to possessing extreme pornography, which included footage of the pony and two obscene images downloaded from the internet.
Leicester Crown Court was told that Cluley faced prior charges for similar offenses; in 2016, he received a community order for having sex with a different horse.
Prosecutor Andrew Fitch-Holland explained that a friend of Cluley discovered the video when borrowing his phone last summer.
At that time, Cluley was intoxicated, and the friend was seeking to contact his mother when he unexpectedly saw the footage involving the pony.
This prompted police involvement.
Cluley, who is described as having learning difficulties, was visibly distressed after his arrest, prompting officers to express concern for his well-being.
During police interviews, Cluley stated, "I want help with my mental health, it's why I've been drinking more lately." The pony's owner attended the court hearing to provide a personal impact statement.
She explained that she purchased the Shetland pony ten years ago for her young son, and the two had shared a close bond.
She recounted noticing behavioral changes in her horses, especially her small Shetland mare, which became unusually fearful, nervous, and aggressive toward her teenage son—behaviors indicative of distress possibly linked to the incident.
The owner described her family’s emotional toll, including the installation of a £286 CCTV camera to monitor the animals and a £60 veterinary forensic examination of the pony.
As a precaution, the pony now stays in a locked stable overnight, having previously been outdoors.
She expressed her horror at discovering the repeated nature of the abuse, saying, "The fact someone was walking around and prepared to rape an animal on more than one occasion (because of the previous conviction) concerns me greatly." She added, "I feel anxious because I don't know how many times it's happened." She described her pony as trusting and gentle, but now wary and defensive.
The owner said, "When it becomes scared, even by normal things like having a rug put on, it reminds me of what happened.
If it were up to me, he would be in custody now.
I can only hope that whatever rehabilitation he undergoes, it works.
I can't forgive what he did to a harmless animal; he has shown no remorse, and I haven't heard any explanation for his actions." Regarding sentencing, Cluley, unemployed and residing on Milligan Road, Aylestone, Leicester, was sentenced to six months in jail, suspended for two years.
He was also ordered to participate in a 30-day rehabilitation activity program, attend up to 40 days of sex offender treatment, and pay the pony’s owner £350 in compensation.
Additionally, he is subject to a two-month electronically monitored home curfew from 8 pm to 8 am, registered on the sex offender database for five years, and subject to a sexual harm prevention order (SHPO) with conditions such as avoiding animal enclosures and not working with animals without permission.
Judge William Edis QC addressed Cluley directly, saying: "For the second time in your life, you're before the court for having sexual intercourse with a horse, and that—if I say no more—is an alarming picture.
One thing I must consider is why you've committed this unusual offense twice.
Is it because of overpowering sexual interest?
Or is it a cry for help or attention?
You must decide to stop doing this or be made to stop.
Although you deserve prison, I am not sure that would address the core issue; my goal is to protect society and animals from you.
You have undergone extensive professional evaluations, but no explanation for your actions has been provided.
I hope you have 'heard the pain' expressed by the pony’s owner.
Her son’s bond with the animal may never be the same, and she is anxious about further abuse.
These are not victimless crimes, as they cause real pain.
Your learning difficulties, anxiety, depression, and inability to cope have been noted, and a package of support has been arranged to stop you from offending again—imprisonment would risk losing this opportunity." Mitigating the circumstances, solicitor Gary Short pointed out that rehabilitation courses had been unavailable in prison due to the pandemic.
He explained that Cluley, who attended court with his mother, was about to move into supported accommodation, where he would receive additional support.
Mr.
Short emphasized Cluley’s significant intellectual impairment, lack of impulse control, and limited understanding of his actions’ repercussions, highlighting the need for specialist supervision.
He noted that Cluley’s previous community order did little to address the root causes of his behavior and that a suitable rehabilitation plan was now in place.
The solicitor also mentioned that Cluley was being influenced by a group that exploited him, encouraging him to drink and behave impulsively, and that the recent loss of his father had affected him deeply.
