28-07-2025
Two charged with killing a sheep near Ditchling Beacon, South Downs
Two men have been charged with killing a sheep following an incident on the South Downs, Sussex Police said. Police received reports that an animal had been attacked near Ditchling Beacon on the evening of 2 November 2023. Leighton Ashby, 31, of Beckett Road, Ashford, Kent, and Oakley Hollands, 20, of Mussenden Lane, Horton Kirby, Kent, have both been charged with causing unnecessary suffering to a protected pair will appear at Brighton Magistrates' Court on 7 August.
Sussex Police confirmed the two men had been students at Plumpton College in East Sussex at the time of the incident but were no longer connected to the college. The force added that the college had fully cooperated with its Rachel Swinney said: "This report was treated with the seriousness it deserved, and a thorough investigation was carried out."We have also engaged with the owner of the sheep, local farmers and the wider community to provide reassurance and advice."I would urge the public not to speculate on the details of this incident while the court process is ongoing."
