Andrew Main broke into stables at Redwings Horse Sanctuary after dark before sexually attacking one of the horses being cared for by the welfare charity.

A horse at Redwings animal sanctuary (Image: Newsquest) The 36-year-old was jailed for 20 weeks at Norwich Magistrates Court after pleading guilty to causing unnecessary suffering to a protected animal in the attack at the sanctuary, near Newton Flotman.

Norwich Magistrates Court (Image: Peter Walsh, Newsquest) Imposing the jail sentence, deputy district judge Sundeep Pankhania said it had been a "sadistic" offence.

However, Main was back in court today (March 25) to appeal his jail term.

Recorder Michael Turner re-sentenced Main to 15 weeks in custody, suspended for 18 months, after finding the defendant's actions were "reckless" but not sadistic.

Following the successful appeal, Lynn Cutress, chief executive of Redwings Horse Sanctuary, issued a statement expressing the........

© Norwich Evening News