MICHAEL SMITH AND GWEN KERR FROM DEWSBURY CAUGHT IN HORRIFIC ANIMAL ABUSE SCANDAL

In a disturbing case that has shocked the community of Dewsbury, West Yorkshire, a man and his girlfriend faced the courts following allegations of severe animal abuse and related criminal activities. The incident, which came to light in June 2017, involved the filming of a highly inappropriate and illegal act involving a dog and a woman, leading to a series of legal proceedings that highlighted the disturbing nature of the offenses.

Michael Smith, aged 64, was accused of filming his 55-year-old girlfriend, Gwen Kerr, engaging in sexual activity with his bull mastiff. Despite denying the charges of aiding and abetting, counseling, or procuring intercourse with an animal, Smith was ultimately found guilty by a jury after a trial at Leeds Crown Court. The court heard that Smith had taken a video of Kerr involved in the act, which he then used as evidence of the abuse.

Prosecutor Mark McKone described the gravity of the case, stating, “This defendant (Kerr) effectively had sexual intercourse with a dog. Mr Smith took a video film of that dog.” He further explained that Kerr had pleaded guilty to having full sexual intercourse with an animal, a crime that carries a maximum penalty of two years in prison for extreme pornographic images.

During the proceedings, it was revealed that Smith had a criminal history, with ten previous convictions spanning forty offenses, although none of these were related to similar crimes. The court was informed of Smith’s history to underscore the pattern of behavior, which added weight to the sentencing considerations.

Judge James Spencer QC addressed the defendants directly during sentencing. He expressed his belief that Smith had used and abused Kerr to involve her in these heinous acts. As a result, Smith was sentenced to a 12-month custodial sentence, which was suspended for 12 months, meaning he would not serve time unless he committed another offense within that period. Kerr received a conditional discharge for 12 months, with a warning not to repeat her actions.

In addition to the custodial and discharge sentences, both individuals were ordered to pay fines in the form of surcharges—Smith was required to pay a £115 surcharge, while Kerr was ordered to pay a £20 surcharge. The case has left a lasting impact on the community of Dewsbury, raising serious concerns about animal welfare and the need for vigilant legal action against such disturbing crimes.