Students Detained for Cruel Sheep Attack
Two agricultural students described as "frankly sadistic" have been detained after beating a sheep to death and inserting explosive bird scarers into its body while recording the assault.
Leighton Ashby, 22, from Beckett Road in Ashford, Kent, and Oakley Hollands, 20, of Mussenden Lane in Horton Kirby, Kent, appeared at Hove Crown Court on Monday.
At an earlier hearing, the Plumpton College students admitted to killing the sheep in a field near Ditchling Beacon, East Sussex, on 2 November 2023.
Sentencing and Court Remarks
Ashby was sentenced to two years in prison, while Hollands received a 20-month sentence at a young offender institution. Both were disqualified from owning animals for 10 years.
"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," Judge Jeremy Gold stated during sentencing.
He added that the attack was carried out for their "own perverse satisfaction."
Evidence and Risk Assessment
Police discovered footage of Ashby conducting the attack on Hollands' phone. Additionally, the ear tags of the sheep that was killed were found in a nearby property.
The judge noted that the probation service considered both men "as presenting a high risk to animals in the future."
College Response and Public Reaction
Plumpton College issued a statement condemning the actions of Ashby and Hollands, stating their behaviour was "completely at odds with the core values and high standards upheld by everyone at Plumpton College."
The statement further emphasized the college's commitment to "maintaining the highest standards of animal welfare, conduct, and professionalism expected of all our students."
A group of animal rights protestors gathered outside the court ahead of the sentencing.
Additional Information
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