Gareth John Miggins pleads guilty to bestiality
Police were at a former coffee van and cafe business owner’s home investigating another crime report when he dobbed in his ex for alleged bestiality, and subsequently himself.
Police & Courts
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A former prominent greyhound racing dog trainer who told police his ex-wife was a “dog f***er”, has been banned from owning dogs for the next 18 months after pleading guilty to three bestiality offences.
Gareth John Miggins, 42, used his phone to film his now former wife, Jannine Irene Whitehead, also known as Miggins, allegedly engaged in acts with a Bull Arab dog three times.
Mr Miggins, is visible assisting in the third video, the Rockhampton District Court heard on August 7.
The pair were charged with three counts of penile intercourse with a dog on different dates.
She has not entered a plea to any of her charges.
The sexual acts took place on December 29, 2021; January 17, 22 and July 8, 2022 at Berserker and Norman Gardens, the court heard.
Judge Jeff Clarke said Miggins and Ms Whitehead had been married 14 years.
He said there was a complaint made that Miggins new and current partner was stalking his former wife.
The court heard there was a conviction in relation to the stalking allegation.
“Police came to your place to investigate that complaint… you took that opportunity to tell the police that your former wife was a dog f***er and the police found footage on your phone of three occasions,” Judge Clarke said.
He said Miggins can be seen on the third occasion putting the dog’s penis into Ms Whitehead.
The court heard Miggins had previously worked as a fire sprinkler fitter until he injured his back in a workplace accident in 2019, receiving a payout which he used to purchase a house and start a coffee van business.
Judge Clarke said the father of three had run a cafe until November media reported his charges.
“You now receive an employment benefit and say that you are effectively homeless,” Judge Clarke said.
Defence barrister Maree Willey said some of Miggins’ family members have distanced themselves from her client due to the media coverage of the case.
She said he lives a transient life between New South Wales and Queensland.
According to various news reports and greyhound racing websites, Miggins has raced dogs in both states.
Ms Willey said Miggins has seen a psychologist and is medicated for depression and anxiety since he was charged for these offences.
While the prosecution did not consider these offences as an animal welfare case and a banning of dog ownership order could not be made in the district court jurisdiction, Judge Clark disagreed.
“I’ve previously made a determination that human sexual interaction with an animal… was a breach of the duty of care cast by the Animal Care and Protection Act,“ he said.
Judge Clarke added an appeal was dismissed.
He placed Miggins on an 18-month probation order with the condition that Miggins relinquish ownership of any dogs and not own any dogs during that period.
No convictions were recorded.
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