Two men plead guilty to animal cruelty charge on the South Downs

Wednesday, 13 August 2025 06:00

Two men have pleaded guilty to killing a sheep on the South Downs in 2023.

31-year-old Leighton Ashby, of Beckett Road in Ashford, and Oakley Hollands, who is 20, of Mussenden Lane in Horton Kirby, drove to a field near Ditchling Beacon on the evening of Thursday, the 2^nd of November 2023, where they began chasing sheep.

They caught one animal and subjected it to a violent attack, using explosive ‘bangers’ to inflict catastrophic injuries.

Footage of Ashby carrying out the attack was found on Hollands’ phone, as well as videos of an unidentified person attacking both live and deceased animals.

The sheep’s ear tags were also found in a property nearby, understood to have been taken from the scene by Ashby.

The attack was reported to Sussex Police on 6 November, 2023.

Both men were swiftly arrested on 8 November, 2023, and subsequently charged with causing unnecessary suffering to a protected animal.

At Brighton Magistrates’ Court on Thursday (7 August), both men pleaded guilty and were released on bail pending sentencing in October.

Superintendent Rachel Swinney said: “This was an appalling act of cruelty on a defenceless animal, filmed by the perpetrators for their own gratification.

“A thorough investigation was conducted as soon as a report was received and we have worked with local farmers and the wider community to offer reassurance and advice.

“We remain committed to protecting our rural communities and will continue to work with our partners to clamp down on rural crime.”

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