Jacob Johnston: Branxholm goat fornicator fronts court

A Tasmanian man who led a pet goat away from a North-East property to a public bathroom, where he abused it, has pleaded guilty to two counts of bestiality.

Jacob Heatlie Johnston has pleaded guilty to two counts of bestiality. Picture: Alex Treacy

A Tasmanian man who led a pet goat away from a North-East property to a public bathroom, where he abused it, has appeared in court for the first time, where he admitted to his crime.

Branxholm man Jacob Heatlie Johnston, 21, appeared in Launceston Magistrates Court on Wednesday charged with two counts of bestiality.

He pleaded guilty to both charges, which were committed on June 10 and November 3 last year, both at Branxholm.

Johnston, who was unrepresented, was committed to the Supreme Court for sentence on September 4.

Both charges related to “sexual intercourse” with a goat.

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The Mercury previously reported that the June 10 incident related to a beloved pet goat that was stolen from a Branxholm property in the early hours, led to a public bathroom block, and sexually abused.

“There were concerns for the welfare of the goat and a vet examination was undertaken as part of the investigation process,” Sergeant Brent O’Mahony of Scottsdale Police said at the time.

“This process included taking DNA swabs to help determine what may have occurred during this incident.”

“Police have spoken with the goat’s owner, who has made a formal complaint to police.”