A 20-year-old Inverness man formed an online relationship with another man who coerced him into having sexual activity with a dog.
Peter Gladstone, formerly of Rosehaugh Road, then took pictures which he retained, Inverness Sheriff Court was told yesterday.
First offender Gladstone had been remanded in custody since July 16 pending the outcome of the case and background and psychiatric reports were called for.
Gladstone admitted a charge of bestiality, committed between May 5 and June 17 last year in his home. He also pleaded guilty to possessing extreme pornographic images of himself and the dog.
Defence solicitor Willie Young told Sheriff Gordon Fleetwood: “He had never met the man concerned. But he carried out these acts because he was coerced into committing these acts or the relationship would come to an end.
“He is sickened by his behaviour. This is a young man who has on-going needs and continuing assessment.”
Since Gladstone had been in custody for several months, Sheriff Fleetwood told him: “This time you have spent in custody is punishment enough.”
But he placed Gladstone under three years of social work supervision and ordered him to participate in a sex offender’s programme.
