A CRUEL and depraved Bradford man has been jailed for three years for having sexual intercourse with chickens and possessing indecent images of children.

Rehan Baig, 37, hoarded sick home movies of his violation of the birds that all died from his perverted and despicable acts, Bradford Crown Court heard today.

His wife, Haleema Baig, 38, who joined in with the depravity at the family home in Shepherd Street, Great Horton, and filmed some of it on her mobile phone, was spared an immediate jail sentence.

The court heard that the indecent images of children as young as six, and the depraved home movies, came to light when the National Crime Agency raided the couple’s home on July 9 last year.

Computers and a phone were seized and images found that Judge Richard Mansell QC said would make right-thinking people “sick to the stomach.”

Rehan Baig was filmed on a GoPro camera, and by his wife, having sex with a number of chickens on different occasions. One of the birds was dead at the time and he was caught on camera putting another carcase into a bin bag.

Prosecutor Abigail Langford said the home movies were made in the cellar or basement at the couple’s home.

Other depraved footage showed the couple sexually abusing a dog.

Police found a covert camera in the bedroom which Haleema Baig seemed unaware of, the court was told.

The senior care assistant claimed to be the victim of her husband’s controlling and coercive behaviour. But Miss Langford said it was the Crown’s case that she was a willing participant.

The court heard that the sexual abuse killed the chickens. It was believed they had been family pets but there were none at the address when the police searched it.

“The defendant caused the death of the chickens on each occasion,” Miss Langford said.

Rehan Baig admitted three counts of intentionally performing an act of penetration on live chickens. He also admitted possessing extreme pornographic images; three charges of making indecent photographs of children; and possessing cocaine and cannabis resin.

His wife pleaded guilty to three aiding and abetting counts, namely filming her husband having sexual intercourse with a chicken.

Simon Hustler, for Rehan Baig, said the offences had attracted national and international publicity, including making news in Pakistan, Spain and Germany.

“They have attracted derision, loathing and ridicule,” he said.

Baig had been unable to leave his home and even had to send out for cigarettes.

“It’s a lengthy sentence he must serve, if not a life sentence in many respects,” Mr Hustler said.

The films seized by the police had been made several years ago.

John Bottomley, for Haleema Baig, said she, like her husband, was of previous good character.

She had left her husband because she alleged he was abusive to her, and she was now living in a refuge.

“The punishment is the shame and humiliation for the rest of her life,” Mr Bottomley said.

Sentencing her to six months’ imprisonment, suspended for 18 months, with a rehabilitation activity requirement, Judge Mansell said there may have been an element of manipulation and coercion by her husband.

He told Rehan Baig he was guilty of “unspeakable cruelty to the animals he abused for his own sexual gratification.”

“The pain and suffering was horrific that you inflicted on these chickens,” the judge said.

Baig had also committed “depraved, perverted and despicable acts” by hoarding images of young children being sexually abused.

“They are the victims of human trafficking and exploitation,” he said.

The “home movies” of Baig having sex with the chickens were “simply beyond comprehension,” Judge Mansell said.

Rehan Baig was banned for life from keeping any animal and he must sign on the sex offender register, also for life.