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A North Canterbury man who admitted trying to have sex with a goat believed he wouldn't get caught because "animals couldn't talk".
The 68-year-old, who has a history of serious offences, pleaded guilty in Rangiora District Court yesterday to attempting to commit bestiality with a goat.
He was convicted by Judge Philip Moran yesterday and remanded on bail until March 12 for sentence.
Police prosecutor Sergeant Lisa Goodson said the man, who was granted interim name suppression, admitted taking the goat to the rear of his small lifestyle property in a rural township and trying to have sex with it.
After the unsuccessful attempt, the man did up his trousers, patted the goat and walked off, The Press newspaper reports.
"He was contrite, but said he was unable to stop the behaviour," Ms Goodson told the court.
Urging the judge to continue name suppression, lawyer Andrew McCormick said the public interest in publishing the man's name didn't "weight as heavily" as if the victim had been human.
"Any interest that the public have in this matter prior to sentencing must be one of curiosity," he said.
Judge Moran said he would continue interim name suppression, but was not prepared to order a blanket suppression on the case details and location.
- NZPA
