Two individuals, Leighton Ashby, 22, and Oakley Hollands, 20, have been sentenced to two years in prison and 20 months in a young offenders’ institution for a disturbing incident where they beat a young sheep to death and blew it up with explosives. The sentencing took place at Hove Crown Court.
The pair, who were studying at Plumpton Agricultural College, engaged in this appalling act after consuming alcohol and driving to Ditchling Beacon to chase sheep in November 2023. They violently attacked a Romsey ewe, kicking, beating, and ultimately killing it in a sadistic manner.
During the incident, Hollands goaded Ashby to continue the assault, with Ashby swinging the sheep around, kicking it multiple times, and eventually smashing its head against a fence post. The attack lasted around 30 minutes, with the sheep enduring severe abuse before fireworks were inserted into its mouth and anus.
Further investigation revealed that Hollands had a history of recording videos depicting animal mutilation, indicating a disturbing pattern of behavior. The incident sparked outrage among protesters, who gathered outside the court during the sentencing.
The judge condemned the actions of Ashby and Hollands, emphasizing the extreme cruelty inflicted on the defenseless animal. Both individuals, coming from farming backgrounds and studying agriculture at the time, were banned from owning animals for a decade as part of their sentencing.
Sussex Police superintendent Rachel Swinney expressed satisfaction with the legal outcome, emphasizing the importance of holding offenders accountable for such heinous acts. A community impact statement presented in court highlighted the shock and disgust felt by the community.
In their defense, Ashby’s lawyer cited his client’s lack of maturity, age, and autism as contributing factors to his actions, while Hollands’ lawyer acknowledged the seriousness of the offense but pointed to his young age and undiagnosed ADHD at the time of the incident.
