Jordan Turnbull, 33, who was jailed for having sex with two Shetland ponies, has opened a pet shop in Armadale, West Lothian, according to the Sun. Turnbull, who was placed on the sex offender register, was granted a licence by council chiefs to sell exotic fish at the business, named Astarte Aquarium.
One angry customer said: “I felt ill when I found out who he was.” Disgusted locals have announced plans to boycott the shop, which Turnbull opened after serving his sentence for the beastiality crimes.
Business named after ancient goddess
In a grim move, Turnbull named the business after an ancient goddess known as the “mistress of horses.” The aquarium is named after the Middle Eastern goddess “Astate,” worshipped more than 3000 years ago as a goddess of “sexual love, war and power.” The goddess was often depicted riding horses while naked.
Locals have been left disgusted by the revelation. One said: “This has to be a very sick joke, surely? But no one is laughing about it. I felt sick when I found out who he was.” A fuming ex-customer added: “I have no idea how a man convicted of having sex with an animal and put on the sex offenders register got permission to open a shop which deals with looking after and selling animals. What is even more messed up is he’s named the pet shop after a Greek goddess known for loving horses.” A third commented: “I’ve been in there plenty of times — never again.”
Conviction and register
Turnbull was appointed as a director of the firm last October prior to the aquarium’s opening. In 2021, he was locked up after admitting to being part of a horse sexual abuse ring with two other men. He admitted having an “unnatural connection” with horses and was convicted after abusing two ponies at an Aberdeenshire farm.
He was added to the sex offenders register for a decade and is set to remain on it until 2031.
Shop response and next steps
News of Turnbull’s conviction spread across social media, leading the aquarium to issue a response on Facebook. The shop stated: “We are not going to hide from the fact this happened. The matter went through the criminal justice system several years ago and the sentence imposed by the court was served. Astarte Aquarium was established afterwards. We ask people to judge us on the business we operate today — the welfare and standard of care provided to the animals in our shop, the condition of our premises and the contribution we try to make to our community.”
A spokesman said discussions were “ongoing” about removing Turnbull from the firm, adding: “Removing a director of a company cannot be done instantly.” Astarte Aquarium has been approached for comment.
