Former Students Accused of Horrific Sheep Attack at Plumpton College

On November 6, 2023, a shocking incident of animal cruelty was uncovered at Plumpton College in East Sussex, England. Two former students, Leighton Ashby and Oakley Hollands, were recorded carrying out a "sadistic and utterly barbaric" attack on a sheep at Ditchling Beacon.

The disturbing footage showed the students beating the sheep, slamming its head against a fence, and then inserting fireworks into its body. The assault, which lasted for 30 minutes, was captured on video and shared, with the sound of laughter heard in the recordings. According to the Sussex Express, the act was discovered when two other students were invited to check out what they were told was a "dead badger."

The case has been condemned by Judge Amanda Kelly at Brighton Magistrates' Court, who described the incident as "hard to comprehend" and "utterly barbaric." Investigators also found additional evidence of animal abuse on the students' phones, including footage of other sheep attacks and a photo of a dismembered fox, suggesting a pattern of cruelty towards both livestock and wildlife.

The defense team for Ashby and Hollands has requested psychiatric evaluations, while the prosecution has asked for the case to be referred to the Crown Court, where longer sentences can be imposed. This shocking incident underscores the broader dangers of animal abuse, which not only causes needless suffering but also risks creating unsafe environments for other animals and even humans.