Lowan Vale farmer, Shaun Taylor, pleads guilty to bestiality charge

A 49-year-old farmer near Bordertown has appeared in court pleading guilty to committing bestiality.

A view of the Mt Gambier Magistrates Court. Picture: File

A 49-year-old farmer from the state’s South East has pleaded guilty to committing bestiality before the Mount Gambier Magistrate’s Court today.

Shaun Wayne Taylor, 49, pleaded guilty to one count of bestiality which the court heard was committed at his Lowan Vale property, near Bordetown, on September 8, 2023.

Mr Taylor was arrested by detectives from the Special Crimes Investigation section on December 22, 2023 after an examination of his electronic devices by police during an unrelated investigation.

He was granted bail and appeared in court in February earlier this year where he sought to have his bail conditions - that deemed he was not permitted to be near animals - changed so he could “look after his animals”.

His request was denied by Magistrate Koula Kossiavelos who said due to “the heart of the offending”, she was not comfortable granting him permission to return to the farm.

Ms Kossiavelos said if Mr Taylor wished, he could employ “other means to look after his animals” – such as farmhands.

He will next appear in the District Court for arraignment in October.