An animal sanctuary volunteer from Angus was snared with a vile haul of images and videos of extreme bestiality after an email link to the depraved material was discovered where he worked.
Mark Findlater has been warned by a sheriff that every sentencing option is under consideration after Forfar Sheriff Court heard hundreds of sickening images and videos were found.
Depicting extreme acts between adults and dogs, cows, pigs and horses, they were recovered from a host of devices at the accused’s rural home.
A criminal justice report is now being prepared before the 28-year-old first offender is sentenced next month after he admitted possessing of the material over more than two and a half years.
Depute fiscal Robbie Brown told the court Findlater had been a volunteer at a local animal sanctuary but there had been some difficulty when he left over an accident which occurred there.
“Checks were being made on his email that he was using at work and one of those turned up a link to a bestiality website,” said Mr Brown.
“As a consequence police became involved and that is where this matter comes from.
“A search warrant was obtained, officers attended at the accused’s house and a number of items were found and examined.
“It is fair to say that the accused was fairly co-operative with the police when he was dealt with.”
Mr Brown detailed the content of a range of items including a laptop, DVDs, USB devices and a hard drive.
The material covered over 1,000 images and 400 videos of adult males and females involving permutations of sexual acts involving horses, dogs, pigs and cows, the court was told.
Findlater, of Mains of Coul Cottages, Forfar, admitted the indictment charge of possessing the extreme pornographic material at his home address between March 2011 and November 2013.
A motion for forfeiture of the items seized was granted by Sheriff Pino Di Emidio.
Solicitor Lynne Sturrock said Findlater had no previous convictions and was aware that the matter would have to be deferred for the preparation of a criminal justice report.
Defence submissions were reserved for when the accused returns to court on February 11.
Sheriff Di Emidio said: “I will defer sentence on the basis that all sentencing options remain open to the court.”