Man jailed for sexually assaulting horse
A man has been jailed for 14 months after he admitted sexually assaulting a horse in Redenhall, South Norfolk.
Alan Blackman, 31, of no fixed address, admitted attempted intercourse with a horse and trespass with intent to commit a sexual offence.
He was sentenced at Norwich Crown Court last week (23 October).
The court heard Blackman had filmed himself during the attack that lasted for more than an hour.
Blackman said he was high on cocaine and amphetamines and could not remember the incident. He had also consumed large amounts of alcohol.
He was caught on CCTV installed by the horse’s owner, Linda Molkenthin.
Ms Molkenthin realised something had happened to her 21-year-old Hanoverian mare, Lottie, the morning after the attack (7 August).
Never miss out on the latest happenings in the equestrian world
“There was a water container and a knife in her stable,” she told H&H.
“We checked her over and she looked ok initially. Then we looked at the CCTV and saw he had been in there. We immediately called the vet out to look at her.”
Lottie was found to have suffered severe internal and external injuries.
Ms Molkenheim has owned the mare for 11 years and the pair enjoyed doing dressage together. The Hanoverian is now semi-retired, but was being hacked out prior to the attack.
“I’m so grateful we had CCTV,” added Ms Molkenthon.
Speaking after sentencing, detective sergeant Alison Clabon said: “Crimes such as this are very rare and today’s sentencing will hopefully send out a strong message that this sort of criminality will not be tolerated and the justice system will come down hard on those who feel they can get away with such a horrifying crime.”
Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now
Rachael joined Horse & Hound in 2014, initially as a digital sub editor then became part of the news team as a writer in 2015. The philosophy graduate studied journalism at the Press Association before working as a local reporter at the Brentwood Gazette. Rachael is now a mum of two and still loves all things equestrian, including hacking, dressage and jumping with her cob Bert. Rachael left the H&H staff to go freelance in June 2019, but still contributes to our magazine and website, as well as our sister magazine Country Life, among others.