Joel Kerim sentenced in Bega District Court for horse bestiality

A man now living on the Qld-NSW border who sexually assaulted his pet horse on multiple occasions at a Bega Valley farm, has been sentenced for the disturbing offending. See the video.

Joel Kerim arriving at Bega District Court. Picture: Tom McGann

A man who sexually assaulted his pet horse on multiple occasions at a Bega Valley farm, has been sentenced for the disturbing offending.

Joel Kerim, 30, sat in the dock of Bega District Court on Thursday as Judge Andrew Haesler SC handed down judgment on four counts of bestiality, disseminate bestiality material, and produce bestiality material.

He had earlier pleaded guilty to all charges.

The former Bega Valley man – who now resides in Tweed Heads – penetrated his 18-year-old mare, Gemma, with an erect penis at his Frogs Hollow farm on the New South Wales South Coast.

Agreed facts state Kerim first sexually assaulted the horse in January 2023, before doing so again in March – and twice more later the same year.

The court heard one of the instances involved Kerim standing on a chair in a bid to reach the animal’s vagina.

Joel Kerim was charged with bestiality. Picture: Supplied

Court documents also state the acts were recorded.

Kerim’s gross offending was halted when Southern Police District detectives unearthed images of the bestiality involving the horse during investigations the same year.

Joel Kerim was sentenced at Bega District Court. Picture: Tom McGann

The officers later searched the rural property in January 2024, finding and seizing a number of electronic devices and photographs.

Kerim was soon after charged.

In court, Kerim’s defence barrister John Masters said his client was someone of “good character” who was aware the acts “were wrong”.

“He’s a religious man and grew up in a strict religious home,” he said.

Mr Master’s comments echoed previous statements issued by Judge Haesler, who said when sentencing he made need to rely on the biblical teachings of Leviticus 18:23, which reads “You shall not have sexual relations with an animal, defiling yourself with it; nor shall a woman set herself in front of an animal to mate with it; that is perverse”.

Mr Masters pointed to Kerim’s regular church attendance and said he was a remorseful man who was looking to improve his life.

Joel Kerim arriving at Bega District Court. Picture: Tom McGann

Before sentencing, the Crown prosecutor said the offending was a serious example of bestiality and reminded the court the maximum punishment for such is 14 years behind bars.

However, Judge Haesler said it was important to note Kerim’s early plea, his willingness to help prosecution after making full admissions, and his good rehabilitation prospects.

“The sentence must be proportionate for what he’s done,” he said.

“We’ve heard he has regret and he has a paraphilic disorder.”

Kerim was ultimately convicted and sentenced to a 15-month intensive correction order.

He was also ordered to complete 200 hours of community service and seek out physiological and sexual offender support.

Kerim’s co-accused and ex-wife, Mickayla Kerim, was also allegedly involved in the acts.

She has been charged with and has pleaded not guilty to four counts of bestiality.

She is set for a District Court trial later this year.

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