Hearing date set for Dolphin Sands man accused of trout sex video
After entering a plea late last year to charges of filming and sharing a viral video of a sex act with a trout, debate will begin on whether it should be aired in court. What the court heard.
Tasmania
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A Hobart court will soon hear whether the viral video of an alleged sex act with a live brown trout will be shown as part of hearing proceedings.
Ashley David Hallam, 55, is the only person charged with the alleged filming and sharing of this video after charges against his co-accused Catherine June Lee were dismissed by the prosecutor in the Hobart Magistrates Court on Wednesday.
Mr Hallam still maintains he’s not guilty plea to one count of possessing a bestiality product and one count of making or reproducing a bestiality product.
Police allege the Dolphin Sands resident used a live trout to perform a sexual act on Ms Lee while filming the encounter and sharing it online between February 1, 2022 and January 25, 2023.
Appearing before Magistrate Marica Duvnjak on Wednesday, Mr Hallam and his lawyer estimated that one full court day would be needed for a hearing date.
The prosecution said they would present “a number of police officers and technical evidence” of how the viral video was recovered.
The prosecution suggested that Ms Lee may also be called to give evidence.
However, another date was set for legal argument before the hearing, with the prosecution and defence hoping to set the agreed facts of the case, as well as give consideration to how the video will be treated as evidence in court, with Magistrate Duvnjak suggesting the court may have to be closed for viewing.
Mr Hallam will return to court on May 19 for a hearing.
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