April 2023

Former teaching assistant, 33 sexually abused the family dog

A former teaching assistant who videod himself sexually abusing the family dog has been jailed.

Oliver Holland, 33, had 14 videos of himself engaged in a sex act with the pet within his sick stash, which included 1,435 photos and 320 videos of extreme pornography involving animal abuse.

It also contained 208 indecent images of children, Stoke-on-Trent Crown Court heard. 

Holland, of Newcastle-under-Lyme, has now been jailed for 40 months.

In a victim personal statement, Holland’s wife said: ‘It’s so hard to put into words how this has affected me. 

‘I have gone from happily married to living 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 horrified I was to hear them say those words. You were able to disappear to your mum’s while I was left picking up the pieces.

‘Our whole married life was a lie. You previously worked as a teaching assistant and a children’s sport coach.

‘I am betrayed by the person who I thought loved me. Everyone says I’m so strong – I’m not, but I’ve got no choice.’

Prosecutor Peter Gilmore said police acting on intelligence visited Holland’s home on June 14 last year, seizing two mobile phones and a laptop as they arrested him.

The court heard Holland also sent pictures and videos to other paedophiles he was conversing with on messenger app Kik.

Gilmore said: ‘Indecent images of children and extreme pornography were found.

‘The laptop did not contain indecent images of children but it had been used to search for young pre-teen models and bestiality.

‘There were 14 videos of the family pet dog involved in a sex act with him.’

Holland pleaded guilty to charges including distributing and creating indecent images of children and possession of extreme pornography.

As well as jailing Holland, Judge Smith made him the subject of an indefinite sexual harm prevention order (SHPO) with notification requirements.