Two Men Jailed for Brutal Sheep Attack on South Downs

Two young men have been locked up after admitting to a savage attack on a sheep near Ditchling Beacon in the South Downs.

Violent Assault with Explosive “Bangers”

Leighton Ashby, 22, from Ashford, and Oakley Hollands, 20, from Horton Kirby, drove to a field on the evening of 2 November 2023. They chased down sheep and violently attacked one, using explosive “bangers” that caused catastrophic injuries.

Disturbing footage of Ashby carrying out the assault was found on Hollands’ phone, alongside other videos featuring attacks on live and dead animals. The sheep’s ear tags were later recovered from a nearby home, believed to have been taken by Ashby from the scene.

Swift Police Action and Sentencing

The shocking crime was reported to Sussex Police on 6 November. Both men were arrested within two days and charged with causing unnecessary suffering to a protected animal.