Joel, Mickayla Kerim: Frogs Hollow husband and wife charged with bestiality

A husband accused of sexually assaulting a horse while his wife allegedly filmed the act on a NSW far south coast property has returned to court as the magistrate warns against further delays.

Joel Kerim (right) and Mickayla Kerim. Picture: Supplied

A magistrate has warned against any further delays in a bestiality case involving a south coast country couple.

The case against Joel Kerim, 30, and his wife, Mickayla Kerim, 26, has had ongoing delays since the couple were charged in January.

Police allege that Mr Kerim sexually assaulted their 17-year-old horse Gemma on the property in Frogs Hollow while his wife allegedly filmed the act.

Mr Kerim was charged with four counts of bestiality, one count of disseminate bestiality material and one count of produce bestiality material, while his wife faces four counts of principal in second degree to serious indictable offence, bestiality.

Mrs Kerim was charged with two counts of produce bestiality material and two counts of disseminate bestiality material, however these were previously withdrawn.

Neither Mr or Mrs Kerim have entered pleas.

Joel Kerim’s case was mentioned in the Bega Local Court on Tuesday. Picture: Tom McGann

Police allege they discovered images of bestiality involving the 17-year-old mare in 2023, commencing an investigation into the Frogs Hollow couple’s alleged offending.

It is alleged Mr Kerim sexually assaulted the horse on four occasions last year; once in January, twice in March and once in August.

Joel Kerim is charged with bestiality. Picture: Supplied

State detectives from southern NSW executed a search warrant on the Frogs Hollow property on January 16 following investigations.

Mr Kerim was arrested and police seized a number of electronic devices and photographs.

He was taken to the Bega Police Station, where he was charged.

Mrs Kerim was charged four days later and the couple were later granted conditional bail.

Mrs Kerim last appeared in court on September 24, where her case was adjourned to the Sydney Downing Centre court for call-over on Wednesday, October 16.

Mr Kerim’s case was mentioned in the Bega Local Court on Tuesday where his lawyer, Dominique Rideaux, asked Magistrate Doug Dick for one more adjournment – a request he reluctantly granted.

“This has been adjourned seven times now,” Mr Dick said. “This is the last time.”

Mr Kerim did not appear due to being legally represented, but Mr Dick said he would need to appear at his next court appearance.

Mr Rideaux said the case needed to be adjourned again due to the complex nature of the agreed facts.

“Although it’s regrettable it has been adjourned so many times, these facts are very lengthy,” he said.

Prosecutor Chelsea Tasevski agreed, saying another adjournment was needed.

“This will help us finalise the facts,” she said.

Mr Kerim will return to court on October 29. The duo remain on bail.

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