A PENSIONER who admitted committing a sex act with a horse has escaped a jail term.

David Walter Chamberlin, 71, pleaded guilty to outraging public decency by committing a lewd act with the animal in a field at a previous hearing before Teesside Magistrates' Court.

Last month, the court heard that retired farm-worker Chamberlin led the horse towards bushes and then committed the sex act.

Prosecuting, Noelle Brockbank, said the owner was driving past fields in Billingham when he saw Chamberlin, previously of Brendon Crescent, Billingham and now of The Crescent, Middlesbrough, with the horse.

He then got out of his vehicle and followed him into the field.

Mrs Brockbank said the witness described seeing the horse's head in Chamberlin's groin area.

She added: "The witness was shaken and disgusted by what he saw. He was the owner of the horse.

"He picked up a stick and struck the defendant. That startled the horse, causing it to run off, dragging the defendant with it."

On Wednesday, Chamberlin was sentenced to a 24-month community order.

Chamberlin's solicitor, Alex Bousfield, said: "As I have previously said this incident is going to define the way people see Mr Chamberlin for the rest of his life.

"It is going to be more embarrassing for him.

"The owner of the horse was in court on the first occasion, telling people what happened.

"Mr Chamberlin cannot explain what happened.

"He didn't know how to account for that behaviour.

"It is not for me to put an explanation forward as he can't explain it either."

Chairman of the bench John Meredith said: "You have pleaded guilty to the charge of committing an act that outrages public decency.

"It is a serious matter the harm caused, the stress caused to the owner of the animal, and to the animal itself."