EXCLUSIVEHigh-profile angler at centre of Tasmanias live trout sex scandal vows to clear his name over sick bestiality allegations

EXCLUSIVE

A renowned Tasmanian angler accused of filming his female partner while pleasuring her with a live fish will fight allegations of producing and possessing bestiality material.

Ashley David Hallam’s alleged camerawork made global headlines last year after the vision found its way onto social media and quickly went viral under the tag ‘Aussie Trout Lady’.

An international outcry led to both Hallam and his partner, Catherine June Lee, being charged with a string of bestiality offences over the vulgar video.

Police allege the footage shows Lee lying on her back on a boat while Hallam performs a sex act on her with a live brown trout.

‘That’s how you catch a trout,’ a man’s voice can be heard saying in the clip.

The embarrassing scandal created by the disturbing video – and ensuing criminal charges – appears to have taken a strain on the couple’s relationship.

Hallam turned up alone at Hobart Magistrates Court on Friday to face two counts of making or reproducing a bestiality product and three counts of possessing a bestiality product between February 2022 and January 25, 2023.

Ashley David Hallam remains tight-lipped while leaving Hobart Magistrates court on Friday after pleading not guilty to bestiality offences relating to an alleged live fish sex video

Hallam arrives at the court alone with no sign of his co-accused partner, Catherine June Lee, who instead appeared by telephone

The prize-winning angler, who was once a regular feature in Tasmania’s fishing columns and blogs, sat quietly by himself in the state’s judicial building before entering courtroom number five a little after 10am.

He did not react as the court first dialled in his co-accused, Lee, at her Howden home, in suburban Hobart, after Magistrate Marcia Duvnjak agreed to allow her to appear via telephone.

‘Hello, this is Catherine,’ the 58-year-old said brightly when taking the call before changing to a more sombre tone after being asked to confirm her identity for the court.

Lee was expected to enter a plea on two counts of making or reproducing a bestiality product and another of possessing it, but instead requested a further adjournment.

Moments after the call ended, Hallam, dressed in a navy blazer and cream trousers, was called to appear before Magistrate Duvnjak and stood as his solicitor entered pleas of not guilty to one count of possessing bestiality and another of possessing it. 

The prosecutions dropped remaining charges against him as they were duplicates, and also withdrew the second count of making or reproducing bestiality against Lee for the same reason. 

The couple’s matters were set down separately for further mentions on January 15, when the magistrate indicated a date would be set for Hallams trial.

The 55-year-old declined to discuss his fight to clear his name with Daily Mail Australia while leaving court, saying only, ‘We’ll see what happens ... cheers thanks for that.’

Hallam changes out of his courtroom clobber in the front yard of a fishing friends home

The fish enthusiast slipped into some more comfortable clothes for the long drive home

Hallam then walked around the block from the courthouse and waited patiently in a nearby churchyard before his sister, prominent Tasmanian real estate agent Anastasia Hallam, picked him up in her work car.

After driving to a nearby shopping centre, the property portfolio manager went and stocked up on supplies – including a box of wine from a BWS bottleshop – while her brother remained inside the car.

They then drove to a fishing friend’s suburban home in Herdsman Cove, about 20km north of the Tasmanian capitals CBD, where Hallam changed out of his courtroom threads and eased into a black t-shirt and jeans in the front yard.

After a brief chat with their mate, the siblings soon hit the road again for the long drive back to Hallam’s home on the far side of the island state.

Many of Hallam and Lee’s friends have distanced themselves in the wake of the bestiality accusations, with Daily Mail Australia previously revealing they have both been widely shunned within Tasmanias strong fishing community.

Family friends said Hallams father, David, a highly regarded local angler, had been horrified to learn of the allegations in the months before his death.

Hallam has been disowned by the legendary Tuna Club of Tasmania just months after it paid tribute to his familys long-history with the iconic fishing institution 

Ashley Hallams father, David, was once president of the family-orientated fishing club

The Tuna Club of Tasmania had paid tribute to the familys distinguished connection to the associate ahead of a memorial service for Hallam’s late father on January 18.

On behalf of the President and Members, the Tuna Club of Tasmania extends our condolences to the family of David Hallam, the club said in an announcement on its official Facebook page before the ceremony.

David was a past President and extremely active competitor with the [Tuna Club of Tasmania] over many years.

During this time he passionately participated in club competition with his family Rebecca and Ashley.

The Hallam familys record of success is a stand out in our clubs deep history.

But just six months later, in August, the family-orientated club vehemently denied any ongoing connection with the accused angler or his partner.

Ashley Hallam and Catherine Lee have absolutely no involvement in the club and are not members, a Tuna Club of Tasmania spokesman told Daily Mail Australia.

And they havent had any involvement with the club for at least the past three decades.

Hallam and Lee have both been charged with a series of bestiality offences 

The public spurning comes after Lees former vet clinic employer also took steps to distance itself from the alleged fish molesters after the sick vision first went viral last January.

Dear valued clients, pets and supporters of Kingston Animal Hospital, the clinics owner, Dr Chris Lee, told clients in an online announcement.

It has come to my recent attention that an ex-employee of the hospital has recently been the subject of attention by [allegedly] appearing in a video that has been widely circulated on social media.

Please understand that this person is no longer a paid employee, has not worked at Kingston Animal Hospital for over 5 years, and over 10 years ago as a full-time employee.

I would like to apologise for the distress this matter may have caused you.