ENGLISH NEWS: Schoolchildren who ripped off sheep’s horns in England are sentenced

DEPRAVED teenagers who attacked sheep with sticks, pelted them with bricks and ripped off their horns at a country park in Hampshire, England, have been sentenced for seriously injuring the animals.

The girl and 3 boys, all aged between 13 and 15, chased the animals at Alver Valley Nature Reserve in Gosport in April of this year, which was described as the “most severe case of cruelty caused by children to animals ever seen” by a Country Watch expert involved in the case.

The animals were subject to abuse over a number of days. Some had their horns snapped off and others suffered serious eye injuries after bricks were thrown at them. The teenagers were said to have laughed and jeered each other on as they thrashed the defenceless flock. 

Anna Presswell, an investigator for Hampshire Police, said the animals were all “visibly shaking and panting” when officers arrived at what looked like a “murder scene.” 

The youngsters admitted causing unnecessary suffering to a protected animal at Portsmouth Youth Court this week. The oldest girl and the 14-year-old boy received a 12-month referral order. The second 14-year-old boy received a 12-month youth rehabilitation order and the 13-year-old received a 9-month extension to their referral order. The four children were also ordered to each pay £85 compensation and £85 in costs.

Following the sentencing, Country Watch investigator Anna Presswell said:

“These incidents were truly shocking and from my experience this was the most severe case of cruelty caused by children to animals that I have seen.  

“What struck me most about this case is the effect it had on all officers and staff involved, from those who first attended the scene to the team that brought this to court. All were equally appalled by what they had come across.

“The animals were seriously hurt, with one losing its eye completely, and all were visibly shaking and panting when police arrived.

“I am pleased that this case has now concluded, and I hope this sends a message to anyone in the community about the consequences of animal cruelty.”