Pensioner admits to alarming the public by repeatedly putting hand up horse's bottom

A pensioner has admitted alarming the public by repeatedly putting his hand up a horse's bottom. William Nicoll, 66, carried out the offence in front of witnesses who could see the field from their homes. Walkers had passed the field earlier in the day and had gone to pet a number of horses which appeared to have sustained minor injuries.

As they walked away, they spotted Nicoll entering the field and approaching a number of horses before acting suspiciously around them. The witnesses went home and reported what they had seen and when a local resident looked out a short time later she saw Nicoll carrying out the act. One witness reported seeing Nicoll with his hand inserted into the animal and walking along behind it as the animal tried to walk away from him.



At Perth Sheriff Court on Thursday, Nicoll, of Kincardine Road, Crieff, admitted breaching the peace at The Holdings, Maxton Road, Crieff, on July 9 last year. He admitted conducting himself in a disorderly manner and entering a field containing three horses, approaching one of them, lifting its tail and repeatedly inserting his hand in its rear to the alarm of passers-by. Solicitor Alison Mackay, defending, said: "This offence is somewhat unusual and I accept that.

"Mr Nicoll is someone who has certain difficulties." Fiscal depute John Malpass said: "The horses had injuries prior to this incident. They did not have any injuries as a result of this incident." Sheriff Michael Fletcher told the court: "As you say, it's pretty unusual. I will defer for a report which will hopefully help me find the correct way to deal with it. Given the nature of the charge I will defer sentence for reports and order you to be of good behaviour."