Joel Kerim, 30, was handed a community-based sentence in the Bega District Court on Thursday. Photo: Ian Campbell.
CONTENT WARING: This article refers to sexual abuse against an animal.
The public’s hatred of bestiality should be enough to stop anyone from committing such crimes, a court heard during the sentencing of a man who was filmed having sex with a pony on the NSW Far South Coast.
Joel Kerim admitted having sex with a pony four times at his property near Bega in 2023.
Some of the acts were filmed.
In early 2024, Kerim spoke to the elders of his church about what happened then went to a local police station where he made full admissions to his crimes.
He told police he was in a bad frame of mind at the time.
“I just wanted to completely destroy my character. I didn’t care anymore,” he later said.
Judge Andrew Haesler said Kerim was born in Queensland, raised in a strict religious family and didn’t mix with other children.
The now-30-year-old now lives in northern NSW where he runs his own business, but admitted he had “no family or friends” in the area when he faced the Bega District Court for sentencing on Thursday (26 June).
He agreed with the prosecutor that one of the reasons for his offences was that he struggled socially.
“I felt I was in a difficult place and I felt I had nowhere else to turn,” he said.
He also said while he had been removed from his church’s congregation after he admitted his crimes, he was still allowed to attend its meetings.
Defence barrister John Masters said while his client came from a very strict religious home with strict rules, he had been given limited direction on relationships.
He had “experimented” in a way that caused him the grief he was in today, Mr Masters said, but had known it was wrong and had intended to report himself.
The barrister also said a bestiality offence brings “a lot of baggage” and his client had found it hard to get work due to media reports about the case.
Judge Haesler said Kerim had no prior criminal convictions and “while disturbing”, his behaviour in this case was “an unusual aberration”.
His family had noted “the crushing weight of his guilt”.
The judge also said the nature of the crime and the community opprobrium attached to it should be enough to deter anyone from such crimes, but some people, like Kerim, still committed them.
Kerim pleaded guilty to four counts of bestiality as well as single counts of producing and disseminating bestiality material.
He was sentenced to a total of 15 months’ jail to be served by an intensive corrections order (ICO), which is a type of community-based sentence.
As part of his ICO, he must complete 200 hours of community service, engage in a sex offender assessment, sex offender rehabilitation programs and see a psychologist as directed.
If this story has raised any concerns for you, 1800RESPECT, the national 24-hour sexual assault, family and domestic violence counselling line, can be contacted on 1800 737 732. Help and support are also available through the Canberra Rape Crisis Centre on 02 6247 2525, the Domestic Violence Crisis Service ACT 02 6280 0900, the Sexual Violence Legal Services on 6257 4377 and Lifeline on 13 11 14. In an emergency, call triple zero.
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