Teen Admits Trying to Have Sex With Shetland Pony Named 'Cheeky' and Faces Possible Jail Term

A 19-year-old Huddersfield man has admitted attempting to allow sexual penetration by a living animal involving a Shetland pony named Cheeky at a Yorkshire farm. Thomas Mikaelson pleaded guilty at Leeds Crown Court on 30 September and is due to be sentenced on 17 November. He remains on bail and was warned that custody is a possible outcome.

The case concerns Gledhill Farm in Almondbury, Huddersfield, where the incident took place on 24 August 2025, and the court heard that it had caused 'distress' at the farm. Judge Simon Phillips KC ordered a pre-sentence report from the Probation Service, which will consider Mikaelson's circumstances and any potential future risk, but he warned that the adjournment should not be interpreted as an indication of the eventual outcome.

Guilty Plea Over Shetland Pony 'Cheeky'

Mikaelson appeared at Leeds Crown Court on 30 September and admitted attempting to allow anal penetration by a living animal. The offence involved Cheeky, a Shetland pony kept at Gledhill Farm. The plea concerns an attempted offence, and it does not amount to a court finding that sexual penetration took place.

He denied a second allegation of recklessly trespassing at the same farm with intent to commit a sexual offence. The prosecution accepted the guilty plea to the principal count, and the second allegation was left on file. A count left on file is not a conviction and does not amount to a finding of guilt, so it should not be treated as proof that he broke into the farm.

Farm Statement Before Sentencing

The farmer supplied a victim impact statement to the court, which will be considered when Mikaelson is sentenced. Judge Phillips said the farmer should have an opportunity to attend the sentencing hearing, and he said the case had affected the farm and those involved in its operation 'in more than one respect'.

Reports of the hearing do not say whether the pony was injured, and Cheeky's condition has not been publicly detailed. The statement allows the farmer to set out the impact of the incident before the sentencing judge, alongside the facts of the offence, legal submissions and the probation assessment.

Leeds Crown Court Sentencing Date

Mikaelson is due back at Leeds Crown Court on 17 November, when the judge will consider the pre-sentence report, the farmer's statement and submissions from the prosecution and defence before deciding the penalty. Custody remains one possible outcome, but no sentence has been imposed, and the court has not indicated whether it will involve immediate imprisonment, a community order or another disposal.

He admitted an attempt to commit an offence under Section 69 of the Sexual Offences Act 2003, which covers intentionally causing or allowing a person's anus or vagina to be penetrated by the penis of a living animal. On conviction on indictment, the offence carries a maximum of two years' imprisonment, although that maximum does not indicate the sentence Mikaelson will receive.

The November hearing will be the next confirmed development in the case. Reports of the hearing give no indication of a motive or any other offending by Mikaelson.