Woman voluntarily performed sex act on dog for drugs as men laughed

[Bow Wow Harris]

A woman who performed a sex act on a dog for drugs today claimed
she was "forced" to do it as men laughed and egged her on.

Sarah Joanne Meredith was filmed sexually abusing the medium-
sized black dog as two men pinned the animal down.

The shamefaced 41-year-old was supported by a man who tried to
prevent our reporter taking her photo as she emerged from court
hiding underneath a jacket.

He shouted "you're not getting a f***ing picture" as he pushed
the camera away before bustling the woman into a taxi.

Ayra Ali, prosecuting, said the charge was brought after footage
of the sexual act being performed on the dog took place.

The man accused of filming the act was also due to appear at
Wirral Magistrates' Court charged with possessing extreme
pornography.

Philip Thomas, 60, of Beckwith Street, Birkenhead, failed to
attend today's hearing and a warrant was issued for his arrest.

Describing the 11 seconds of footage, Ms Ali said: "A black
medium-sized dog is being held by an adult male with the dog's
back against his stomach."

She explained the dog was kicking out as another male also held
the dog's front legs.

She said Meredith then performed a sex act on the dog as men
shouted at her to "keep going" while laughing.

Ms Ali said: "The defendant stated she was forced to do this,
however, the footage shows otherwise."

Meredith has previous convictions, however, they are not
relevant to this case, the court heard.

Sinead Fearon, defending, said: "The defendant is described as a
vulnerable female, that's clearly what she is.

"She was promised she would get drugs if she did what the males
said."

Ms Fearon explained that Meredith, of no fixed address, suffers
from drug misuse, and relapsed following an incident which is
currently being investigated by police.

Regarding this case she said: "The males haven't faced any
prosecution in relation to proceedings.

"The male recording it is [subject to criminal but not the males
described in the footage who were holding the dog and making
directions.

"This experienced bench will have dealt with cases where people
explain how desperate they were to fix their habit. I don't
think you will come across a case where someone has reached such
low and such desperate measures."

Referring to the presence of press in the courtroom, Ms Fearon
said: "The embarrassment will stay with her not just for today
but for a considerable amount of time."

She explained that prior to 2016 Meredith had "sorted herself
out", however, in January of this year was the subject of a
"heinous" crime and as a result "she started using more drugs".

Ms Fearon said: "She started getting more desperate which
demonstrated itself in the offence she has pleaded guilty to."

Speaking directly to magistrates herself, Meredith said: "I have
had a serious mental breakdown following being viciously gang-
raped for five weeks. I am on the list for rehab in
Macclesfield."

Today's case was adjourned by magistrates' to allow a report to
be prepared.

Meredith was released on unconditional bail until her next
appearance on September 21.

https://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/news/liverpool-news/woman-
performed-sex-act-dog-18795835