A former teaching assistant who sexually abused the family’s dog has been sentenced to prison.
Oliver Holland, 33, had 14 videos of himself having sex with the pet in his ailing stash of material, including 1,435 photos and 320 videos of extreme animal cruelty pornography.
It also contained 208 indecent images of children, Stoke-on-Trent Crown Court heard.
Now Holland, from Newcastle-under-Lyme, has been sentenced to 40 months in prison.
In a personal statement from the victim, Holland’s wife said, “It’s so hard to put into words how this has affected me.
Former teaching assistant and children’s sports coach Oliver Holland, 33, had 14 videos of the pet involved in a sex act with him in his sick stash
“I went from happily married to a nightmare. A knock on the front door changed my life. They were there to arrest him for possession of indecent images of children.
“I can’t begin to describe how shocked I was when I heard them say those words. You were able to disappear to your mother while I stayed behind to pick up the pieces.
“Our whole married life was a lie. You previously worked as a teaching assistant and children’s sports coach.
“I was betrayed by the person I thought loved me. Everyone says I’m so strong – I’m not, but I have no choice.’
Prosecutor Peter Gilmore said intelligence-based police visited Holland’s home on June 14 last year and seized two cell phones and a laptop when they arrested him.
The court heard that Holland also sent photos and videos to the people he was talking to via the messenger app Kik.
Gilmore said: ‘Indecent depictions of children and extreme pornography have been found.
“The laptop contained no indecent images of children, but had been used to search for young pre-teen models and bestiality.
Stoke-on-Trent District Court heard police found 1,435 photos and 320 videos of extreme animal cruelty pornography and 208 indecent images of children. Now the defendant, from Claremont Close, Newcastle-under-Lyme, has been imprisoned for 40 months
“There were 14 videos of the dog engaging in a sexual act with him.”
Holland pleaded guilty to, among other things, distributing and making indecent images of children and possession of extreme pornography.
Hamish Noble, mitigating, appealed to Judge Graeme Smith to have the sentence suspended. He said, “These are terrible transgressions.
“He fully understands that and he understands the impact of the offense. He understands what can happen today.
“He has no previous convictions and he has lost his good character. He worked from home for six months.
From that, some emotional distance developed in his relationship. There was limited contact during the weekend.
He sought companionship online. Initially nothing objectionable, just chatting, but it went on from there.
“His interest seems to have been more extreme pornography because of the sheer volume.
“He expresses through me his regret for what he has done. He’s at work. He lives with his parents.
“There has been a significant decline in his mental well-being following his arrest. After the arrest, he has had no contact with his immediate family.
“He has experienced depression and suicidal thoughts. He can’t believe what he’s done.’
Judge Smith not only jailed Holland, but also made him the subject of an indefinite Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO) with reporting requirements. He said, “There is an epidemic of child pornography in this country.
“Very often in this court we have people who have experimented with increasingly extreme pornography. Sometimes that evolves into contact with other people doing the same thing.
“If there is one positive fact, it is that you have been open and honest about your transgression. Many people aren’t. That gives a glimmer of hope that the rehabilitation work may succeed.’