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A man who simulated a “wholly inappropriate” sexual act with a horse in front of a group of teenagers in Cambridge has been spared jail.

Steven Cuff, 54, of Home Close, Swavesey, was with a group of about five people at the time of the offence, which happened on a busy Jesus Green on May 8, 2016 – one of the hottest days of that year so far.

At his sentencing at Cambridge Crown Court today (March 27), he was jailed for four months, suspended for 18 months, after he admitted one count of outraging public decency at a previous hearing.

Prosecutor Sara Walker said that Sunday afternoon, Jesus Green was “occupied by groups of young people, families and young children” and was “described as packed.”

A teenage girl, who was with a large group of friends aged 16 and 17, first noticed Cuff while they were listening to music and enjoying the weather, the court heard.

“She said she didn’t know him but the noticeable thing about him was the fact he had a horse with him on Jesus Green on that afternoon,” said Ms Walker.

“He came over towards their group and started to sing and dance to the music they were listening to. It was clear, she said he had been drinking or taking something. He was mumbling or swaying to the music. His eyes were all over the place.”

The court heard after letting one of her group have a ride on the horse, he began leading the animal around and started playing with it.

"She said he made a beard with his tail," said Ms Walker. “That got some laughs from their group but that seemed to spur him on.”

She said the horse became visibly excited, which the man noticed and went near to it, despite the group's protests not to.

“He grabbed hold of the horse’s penis and started to swing it around in circles,” she said.

"He went up and moved his hand up and down the horse's penis as if he was masturbating it. People were shouting at him to stop."

When interviewed by police about the incident, Cuff said "his son had noticed his horse’s penis was in need of a clean and had put some baby oil on it and rubbed it to get the dirt off."

Defending, Caroline Allison said Cuff, who has 25 previous convictions spanning many years, was not acting in a sexual way towards the horse.

"While it was clearly a matter relating to a horse and the act of simulating masturbating, the basis of plea makes it clear he was not acting in a sexual way towards the horse," she said.

"This wasn't something that was being done for sexual gratification. It’s clear from the statement from the witness of this case he was doing it for attention.

“He was acting up to an audience. The defendant is hugely embarrassed by his actions and by appearing before the court for them.

“He behaved in a very foolish manner. Much of his offending has been related to drink. He accepts he had been drinking alcohol.

"He believes that he had his drink in effect, spiked. He felt very intoxicated prior to the incident and has limited recollection of exactly what happened.

“He is not somebody who has any underlying sexual issues. He offers his sincere apologies to those offended by this incident.”

Judge David Farell QC said: “This was a Sunday in May on one of the hottest days so far of the year. At that time therefore the green was extremely crowded with people, young people and in particular children.

“You were there with your horse and you had been drinking, possibly also you had some drugs but you were behaving in a way which was wholly inappropriate and indeed disgusting.

"There were children present and other young people. While you may have thought it was funny that was wholly inappropriate behaviour which I think you can recognise.

“In my opinion to send you into prison immediately today is unnecessary and you escape just by me being able to follow the recommendations in the pre-sentence report."

Cuff was also given a rehabilitation activity requirement for 30 days and fined £200 in costs.