- Ashley Hallam and Catherine Lee accused them of viral videos
- One film featured a sexual act with a brown trout
- In another case, they allegedly had sex on a grave
A Tasmanian man charged over a viral sex video featuring a woman on a boat and a live brown trout has been revealed to be a fishing enthusiast.
Ashley David Hallam, 55, and Catherine June Lee, 58, were indicted last February on allegations that they produced bestiality material sometime between February 1, 2022, and January 25, 2023.
Police claim the disturbing film showed Lee on a boat at sea, somewhere near the south of the island state, while Hallam used the fish to perform a sex act on her.
The couple were also charged over a second home video showing them having sex on the grave of famed painter David Hammond Chapman at St Mark’s Anglican Cemetery in Cressy, in the state’s north.
Hallam faced the Hobart Magistrates Court on Friday over the bestiality allegations, while Lee was excused because she was not served with a summons, The Mercury reported.
Ashley Hallam (right) is a fishing enthusiast who often shares photos of his catches online
Pictured: A screenshot of an alleged sex act at a cemetery in Tasmania
Now it can be revealed that Hallam is an avid fisherman who regularly posts about his fishing and cooking activities in local Facebook groups.
Many of the posts feature selfies with his huge catch, while others include culinary advice.
In January, he wrote in a group called ‘Australian carp slayers’: ‘Hello everyone! I just wanted to introduce myself and share a photo I took…this guy ate a vibe…pulled like crazy.”
The image showed him standing in a boat, triumphantly holding a giant carp.
Another post in February showed Hallam holding another large fish, alongside photos of the dish he cooked with it.
“I love these things,” he wrote.
‘Cooked from the depths in a saltwater brine… served three hours later with a beautiful Galliano light sauce and some roasted cauliflower from the garden… #freshisbest.’
Hallam (pictured) is accused of producing and possessing bestiality material
Hallam also posts photos of his dishes on culinary Facebook groups (photo)
Following the indictment in February 2023, Lee’s former employer at Kingston Animal Hospital, Dr. Chris Lee, addressed the trout video in a statement.
“Dear valued customers, pets and supporters of Kingston Animal Hospital,” wrote Dr. Lee online.
“It has recently come to my attention that an ex-employee of the hospital has recently been the subject of attention by appearing in a video that has been widely circulated on social media.
“Please understand that this individual is no longer a paid employee, has not worked at Kingston Animal Hospital for over five years and as a full-time employee for over ten years.”
At the time, police reminded the public that possessing or distributing bestiality material is a criminal offense.
The case will return to court on August 20.