Man guilty of having sex with ex-wife's bull mastiff dog - Update

A father of three has been found guilty of having sex with his ex-wife's bull mastiff dog. Kelly Thacker told Gloucester Crown Court she was shocked to discover her ex-husband Nicholas Saunders, 46, in her bed having intercourse with the animal on January 15 last year. During the two-day trial Ms Thacker, who has teenage twins with Saunders, told the court she had rejected her ex-husband's advances towards her after he had a fight with his bi-polar girlfriend and had sought comfort at her home.

It was soon afterwards she found him having sex with her female dog, Sasha. Saunders, who separated from Ms Thacker 13 years ago, denied the charge and claimed his ex-wife had seen him merely "climbing over the dog" to get out of bed to use the toilet. As the jury of five men and seven women returned the unanimous verdict Saunders, dressed in a dark suit and tie, looked to the floor and shook his head.



Recorder Stewart Patterson adjourned the case for pre-sentence reports to be completed. Speaking directly to Saunders, of Lechlade, Gloucestershire, the judge said: "The jury have found you guilty. It is an unusual offence and unusual behaviour. I want to know more about you and the offence so I am going to adjourn this matter for pre-sentence reports until the 27th July." Saunders was granted bail on the condition he does not contact his ex-wife and family.

He was also ordered to sign the sex offenders register at a police station within three days. Sarah Jenkins, defending, had asked the Recorder to pass sentence yesterday, suggesting that a community order would be sufficient punishment. But the Recorder told her: "It is an unusual offence and an unusual way to behave. I want to get to the bottom of it and find out whether your client needs some help."

Previously.