Two Men Receive Prison Sentences for Brutal Sheep Attack Involving Beating and Explosives
Two young men have been handed significant prison terms for what a judge described as a "sadistic" and "truly shocking" attack on a defenceless sheep, which involved beating the animal to death before inserting fireworks into its body.
Graphic Details of Disturbing Animal Cruelty Case
Leighton Ashby, aged 22, and Oakley Hollands, aged 20, were sentenced at Hove Crown Court on Monday to two years in prison and 20 months in a young offenders' institution respectively. The pair had previously pleaded guilty to causing unnecessary suffering to a protected animal at Brighton Magistrates' Court on August 7 last year.
The disturbing incident occurred in November 2023 when the two friends, who were studying at Plumpton Agricultural College at the time, had been drinking and decided to drive up to Ditchling Beacon to chase sheep. Judge Jeremy Gold KC told the court the pair caught a Romsey ewe which they then "kicked and beat to death for your own perverse satisfaction."
Violent Assault Captured on Video
Prosecutor Jordan Franks detailed how the attack unfolded over approximately 30 minutes, with the pair filming themselves during the assault. "Mr Ashby put his arms round the torso of the sheep and swung it around, shouting 'woo woo'," Franks told the court. "Mr Ashby kicked the sheep five times to the body and head. He put his arms around the head of the ewe and started punching it in the head, getting harder and harder until it seemed concussed and could not stand up."
The prosecutor continued: "Mr Ashby dragged the sheep towards a wooden fence post where he smashed its head several times. Mr Hollands can be heard shouting 'go on kill it, kill it, kill it' and he was laughing."
In a particularly disturbing escalation, the attack culminated with the pair inserting fireworks into the mouth and anus of the innocent creature, causing further suffering and mutilation.
Background and Additional Evidence
The court heard that a device belonging to Hollands revealed two other videos of animals that showed what the prosecutor described as a "worrying pattern of interest in the mutilation of animals." This evidence added to the seriousness of the case against the two men.
Judge Gold expressed particular concern about the defendants' backgrounds, noting: "The fact that you both come from farming backgrounds and were studying at Plumpton at the time makes your callous and frankly sadistic behaviour all the more alarming and difficult to comprehend."
Sentencing and Community Reaction
In addition to their prison sentences, both men were banned from owning animals for 10 years. The case drew significant public attention, with protesters lining the street in front of Hove Trial Centre ahead of the sentencing.
A community impact statement read in court expressed "complete and utter shock and disgust" at the men's actions, reflecting widespread public revulsion at the cruelty displayed.
Sussex Police superintendent Rachel Swinney responded to the sentencing by stating: "This was a disturbing incident that has been treated with the seriousness it deserved. Both of these men have now faced justice for their crimes, which should send a clear message that we will protect our rural communities and hold offenders to account."
Defence Arguments and Mitigation
Defence lawyers presented mitigating circumstances for both defendants. Laurence Harris, defending Ashby, argued his client's actions were "out of character" and cited his lack of maturity, age, and autism diagnosis as contributing factors.
Caroline Baker, representing Hollands, acknowledged her client's actions were "extremely serious" and "deserving of the condemnation it has received," but noted he was only 18 when the incident occurred and was "living with undiagnosed ADHD" at the time.
Despite these mitigation arguments, the judge imposed substantial sentences reflecting the gravity of the offences and the need to protect animals from such brutal treatment.
