June 2021

Aberdeenshire horse sex ring sicko avoids jail over ‘unnatural connection with animals’ because of his AGE as pals caged

A pervert who admitted an “unnatural connection” with horses as part of an animal sex abuse ring avoided jail yesterday — because of his age.

Joshua Lee-Paterson, 20, was let off with 225 hours’ unpaid work des­pite admitting bestiality at a farm in Cothal, Aberdeenshire.

Law chief Phillip Mann said the fiend, of nearby Balmedie, was spared because he was just 17 at the time of the three-month abuse.

But depraved pal Jordan Turnbull, 28, was sentenced to seven months after admitting intimate relations with two Shetland ponies.

Mark Findlater, 34, got 13 months after he pled guilty to sharing pics of the vile attacks with the public.

Passing sentence at Aberdeen Sheriff Court, he said: “This is offending which society will find very offensive and disturbing.”

We told how the warped pals were snared after a tip-off sparked an undercover investigation by cops and the Scottish SPCA.

Turnbull and Lee-Paterson later admitted having an “unnatural connection” with the animals.

The court heard Shetland ponies Jack and Ruby had belonged to Findlater, of Kirriemuir, Angus.

He agreed a deal to sell the animals and rural plot to Lee-Paterson, who stayed in a caravan while he paid back in instalments.

The court heard Findlater was in a relationship with Turnbull and Lee-Paterson at different times.

Both men blamed him, claiming he controlled and manipulated them into attacking the horses.

Lee-Paterson said he was trying to protect the animals, who were abused in a small wooden stable between October and December 2018.

Prosecutor Colin Neilson told the court: “He said that Findlater had threatened to harm the horses if he didn’t carry out the acts.”

All of the depraved incidents were captured on a mobile phone.

Findlater, who has a past conviction over bestiality snaps, insisted he had not witnessed the sickening attacks and received the images on social media.

But Sheriff Mann told him: “You sent this obscene material to members of the public who shouldn’t have been subjected to such disgusting images. That’s very serious indeed.”

Lee-Paterson’s lawyer Stuart Murray revealed his client had been dumped by his fiancee over the past few weeks.

Turnbull, from Galashiels, Sel­kirkshire, had claimed his business would collapse if he went to jail — putting four jobs at risk.

His lawyer Matthew Patrick added: “There is no getting away from the fact this is seriously bizarre behaviour.”

Turnbull and Lee-Paterson, who fled court with a newspaper covering his face, were both put on the sex offenders register.

April 2021

Two depraved perverts had sex with horse at Aberdeenshire farm & admit having ‘unnatural connection’ with the animal

TWO depraved perverts admitted having sex with a horse after they were snared in a major cop probe.

Joshua Lee-Paterson, 20, (pictured below) and Jordan Turnbull, 28, (pictured above) had an “unnatural connection” with the animal at a farm over three months.

Horrified locals told of their disgust after the sickos admitted having sex with a horse at a secluded farm.

Lee-Paterson and Turnbull abused the animal at the quiet rural spot over a three-month period.

But they were snared after a tip-off sparked an undercover probe into bestiality — and the vile pair confessed to having an “unnatural connection with a horse” in Cothal, Aberdeenshire.

After guilty pleas were entered on their behalf at Aberdeen Sheriff Court, a source said: “What those beasts did to that poor animal was horrendous — they deserve to be jailed.

“It’s important everyone knows who these monsters are so people know to watch out for them. They must never be allowed to do this again.”

Lee-Paterson is understood to have owned a field at the farm and kept horses there.

A former pal told how he claimed he was the victim of a hate campaign when the  bestiality allegations surfaced.

They added: “He’s spent months telling me he was blackmailed and targeted and would be proved innocent.

“On the face of it Josh seemed like a personable, decent guy. But under the surface there’s something very wrong. He’s an oddball.”

One local said rumours had spread about what was going on at the farm.

They said: “We thought it was drugs — there were odd comings and goings.

“But it turned out to be far worse. No one can get their head around it.

“He picked the perfect place because it’s so out of the way and hidden.”

Another resident said: “It makes me shudder. This is such a quiet, beautiful place. Loads of people have horses here. No one would even think about doing anything like this.”

We told last year how cops and the Scottish SPCA launched an undercover operation after the tip-off.

Several animals were removed following searches of farms and stables.

It is believed Lee-Paterson sold his land when he was arrested

Court documents state the appalling offences took place at Cothal Farm between October 1, 2018 and December 31, 2018.

Lee-Paterson, of Balmedie, Aberdeenshire, and Turnbull, of Galashiels, Selkirkshire, were put on the sex offender’s register last Tuesday.

Sheriff William Summers set a further hearing for later this month.