Sheffield man who coerced partner into vile bestiality with pet pug serves first year of prison sentence
A Sheffield man jailed for coercing his then partner into sexual conduct with the pair’s pet pug has now spent his first year behind bars.
Graham Marshall periodically rocked back and forth, and kept his head in his hands for much of his March 2025 sentencing hearing, as his “depraved” conduct was outlined in great detail by the Recorder of Sheffield, Judge Jeremy Richardson KC.
He remained silent, however, when Judge Richardson handed down a prison sentence of five years, nine months, with an extended licence period of four years - bringing his total sentence to one of nine years, six months - after deeming him to be a dangerous offender.
Both Marshall, along with his co-accused and former partner, Paige Reaney, pleaded guilty to a number of offences relating to bestiality with their pet pug Charlie, with Reaney admitting to full sex with the animal, and Marshall admitting to aiding and abetting such acts.
The pair - who split up following their arrest when the full extent of Marshall’s offending was uncovered - shared the videos of the acts of bestiality they had subjected Charlie to on a social media platform.
Sheffield Crown Court heard how both defendants subjected Charlie to unnecessary suffering, along with habitual sexual activity, during a period of more than three years.
Marshall, of no fixed abode, was also sentenced for offences committed solely by him, including taking his own indecent image of a child under the age of 10, along with voyeurism relating to a hidden camera inside the private bathroom of a residence, and the possession of child abuse images of Categories A, B and C, and extreme pornography.
Judge Richardson said he believed Reaney had been subject to an “element of coercion,” and in the videos of the depraved acts of bestiality captured by Marshall, he could be heard giving instructions.
He said: “In a professional life in the law covering 45 years, I thought I had encountered most acts of depravity. This case is perhaps the worst example of a case of its kind that I have ever come across.”
“In your case, Marshall, it is a very serious case of its kind and unquestionably demands a sentence of some substance.
“You both owned a black Pug dog called Charlie. The simple fact is that you, Reaney, had many sexual encounters with that poor helpless creature which were all aided and abetted by you, Marshall.
“You have wallowed in a swamp of sexual depravity repeatedly and over a long period.”
He sentenced Reaney, then aged 33 and formerly of Bowman Drive, Gleadless, Sheffield, to nine months’ imprisonment, suspended for two years. She was also ordered to complete 30 sessions of a rehabilitation activity requirement.
Both defendants were banned from keeping animals, and Judge Richardson also granted a prohibition order which means Marshall and Reaney will never again be able to have any contact with Charlie the dog.
Marshall was also given an indefinite sexual harm prevention order, and both defendants were told they must register as sex offenders. The length of Marshall’s sex offender notification requirements will be for life, while Reaney’s will run for a period of 10 years.