Two former Plumpton College students have been sentenced to immediate imprisonment following a Crown Court hearing that heard harrowing details of the deliberate killing of a lamb in Sussex. It is a case previously covered by the BBC.
The case was heard before HHJ Gold KC, who listened to arguments from both sides to assess the severity of the details put forward, took time to consider his decision, then delivered a custodial sentence to both defendants. The court ruled that the seriousness of the offences made immediate custody inevitable, despite mitigation being put forward for both men.
The prosecution was led by Westgate Chambers’ Jordan Franks, who appeared on behalf of the Crown Prosecution Service.
Mr Franks opened the case and relied on a Crown Sentencing Note, updated to address the defence submissions and expert material served in advance of sentence. He confirmed that both the police and the CPS had considered public correspondence received in relation to the case.
The judge ruled that none of the video footage of the sadistic kiling of a sheep filmed during the incident would be played in open court, stating there was no public need for it to be shown. Instead, the case was opened using descriptions of the footage. HHJ Gold KC further determined that a Newton hearing was not required, concluding that both defendants were equally culpable overall.
In his sentencing remarks, the judge described the offending as “callous and sadistic” and “difficult to comprehend”, particularly given both defendants’ farming backgrounds and their studies at Plumpton College. He found that the pair had driven out while drinking, chased sheep, caught a lamb and subjected it to sustained violence for their “own perverse satisfaction”. One defendant carried out the majority of the physical violence, while the other filmed the attack and provided fireworks, which were inserted into the lamb to cause further suffering.
Ashby was sentenced to 24 months’ immediate custody (36 months before credit for plea), while Hollands received 20 months’ immediate custody (24 months before credit). Both were made subject to 10-year disqualification orders prohibiting them from keeping animals. Victim surcharges were imposed, but no costs were ordered.
Although mitigation was put forward, including youth, previous good character and mental health material, HHJ Gold KC emphasised that the facts were “truly shocking” and that both defendants presented a high future risk to animals.
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