A North Canterbury man who tried to have sex with a goat told his counsel “animals could not talk” and he thought that if he used them for sexual gratification he would not get caught.

The 68-year-old man, who lives on a small lifestyle block in a rural township and has a history of serious offences, admitted a charge of attempting to commit bestiality with a goat when he appeared in the Rangiora District Court yesterday.

He was convicted by Judge Phillip Moran and remanded on bail until next month for a probation report and sentence.

Sergeant Lisa Goodson said the man admitted taking the goat to the back of the property, attempting to have sex with it before doing up his trousers, patting the goat and walking away. “He was contrite but said he was unable to stop the behaviour,” said Goodson.

His counsel, Andrew McCormick, when urging the judge to continue the suppression of the man’s name and the details of the offence, said protecting the public interest by publishing the man’s name did not “weigh as heavily” as if the victim had been human.

“Any interest that the public have in this matter prior to sentencing must be one of curiosity,” said McCormick.

The man had a history of serious offences and publication could affect the man’s state of mind and that of his family.

“There is a serious need for intervention … the chances of being able to engage with this man on a frank basis may well be compromised,” said McCormick.

The judge said he would continue interim suppression of the man’s name but was not prepared to grant a blanket suppression on the details of the case and its location..