Thomas Mikaelson, 19, remains on bail until a November sentencing hearing at Leeds Crown Court.
LEEDS, England — A 19-year-old man has pleaded guilty to an attempted sexual offense involving a Shetland pony at a farm in West Yorkshire and is scheduled to return to court in November for sentencing.
Thomas Mikaelson, of Huddersfield, entered the guilty plea Sept. 30 at Leeds Crown Court to a charge of attempting to allow sexual penetration by a living animal. The case concerns an incident involving a Shetland pony named Cheeky at Gledhill Farm in Almondbury, near Huddersfield, on Aug. 24, 2025. The court has not yet imposed a sentence.
Mikaelson also denied a separate charge of recklessly trespassing to commit a relevant sexual offense. Prosecutor Robert Galley told the court that the Crown accepted the pleas and asked for the second charge to lie on file. That means the court did not determine guilt on the second allegation as part of the Sept. 30 hearing.
Judge Simon Phillips KC postponed sentencing until Nov. 17 so the Probation Service could prepare a pre-sentence report. The report is expected to address Mikaelson’s circumstances and any potential risk he may pose to the public. The judge warned that the decision to delay sentencing for the report should not be interpreted as an indication of what punishment will ultimately be imposed.
Mikaelson was released on bail and ordered to return to Leeds Crown Court for the sentencing hearing. Phillips told him that a custodial sentence remains an option, but no decision has been made. The court has therefore not determined whether Mikaelson will receive a prison term or another sentence.
The farmer connected with Gledhill Farm submitted a victim impact statement to the court. Phillips said the incident had affected the farm and people involved in its operation in more than one respect and indicated that the farmer should have an opportunity to attend the sentencing hearing.
Published accounts of the hearing did not establish that the attempted act was completed, and Mikaelson’s guilty plea concerned an attempt. Reports reviewed for this story also did not provide a confirmed account of any physical injury to the pony. Those details should not be inferred from the charge itself.
The case attracted attention after Mikaelson appeared publicly outside court following his plea. Reporting from the hearing said he covered his face as he left the courthouse accompanied by two women. His appearance outside court does not affect the sentencing decision, which will be based on the offense, the pre-sentence report and other information properly before the court.
Mikaelson is due back at Leeds Crown Court on Nov. 17. Until then, he remains on bail, and the sentence for the offense to which he pleaded guilty has not been determined.
Author note: Last updated October 4, 2026.