10th October 2025
A judge has condemned “utterly barbaric” cruelty towards a sheep after two men killed it and blew it up with explosives.
The pair invited two friends to join them to see a “dead badger”.
However, Ashby and Hollands proceeded to chase sheep and caught one, which they “violently assaulted” by punching and kicking it, the court heard.
They then used fireworks to blow it up.
The two witnesses did not participate in the attack, which lasted 30 minutes, and reported the incident.
Ashby and Hollands admitted the crime. They appeared at Brighton Magistrates’ Court today, October 10.
Prosecutor Joe Lewis for the crown said the incident “was not isolated” with videos on Hollands’ phone of other sheep attacks and a video of a fox that had been cut in half.
District Judge Amanda Kelly described the incident as “utterly barbaric”.
Judge Kelly said: “It’s hard to comprehend how you can inflict such brutal cruelty.
“It was sadistic and utterly barbaric.”
Videos were taken of the incident, during which “sounds of laughter can be heard”, and the pair attempted to cover up their involvement by asking people to lie for them, Judge Kelly added.
The court also heard that the witnesses to the attack were left with “lasting mental horror”.
Mr Lewis said the sheep’s ear tags were found in toilets of Plumpton College, which Ashby and Hollands attended.
Mr Lewis said they were “kept as trophies”.
Judge Kelly said the incident involved “sadistic behaviour” and sent the case to crown court for sentencing due to its severity.
Sentencing is due to take place on November 10 at Lewes Crown Court.
https://www.theargus.co.uk/news/25533524.men-killed-sheep-appear-brighton-magistrates-court/
WHAT EVIL BASTARDS THEY ARE SOMEONE SHOULD PUT FIREWORKS UP THEIR BACKSIDES AND SEE HOW THEY LIKE IT. ALSO I WOULD LIKE TO SAY THAT SCUM LIKE THIS WHO ARE SO CRUEL TO INNOCENT ANIMNALS ARE THE BIGGEST COWARDS ON THIS PLANET.