KENT MEN GUILTY OF CRUELTY TO SHEEP IN DITCHLING INCIDENT
Two men identified as Leighton Ashby and Oakley Hollands have confessed to causing unnecessary suffering to a protected animal following the death of a sheep in a field near Ditchling Beacon.The incident occurred on November 2, 2023, where the two individuals used explosives known as 'bangers'—devices designed to produce loud noises and deter birds—to fatally injure the sheep.
Ashby, who resides on Beckett Road in Ashford, Kent, was seen on footage carrying out the attack, which was discovered on Hollands' phone.
The video footage showed Ashby violently assaulting the sheep with the explosives, which resulted in catastrophic injuries.
The sheep's ear tags were later identified at a nearby property.
The act of cruelty was reported to police on November 6, 2023, leading to the arrests of Ashby and Hollands two days later.
Sussex Police described the act as 'appalling' and emphasized their commitment to protecting rural communities and combating rural crime.
Both offenders pleaded guilty at Brighton Magistrates Court and are scheduled for sentencing in October.
