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| 'Joyriders' kill pregnant sheep in Kent field | |
| (about 2 hours later) | |
| A farmer has said he is devastated by the deaths of 15 sheep, some of them heavily pregnant, after they were hit by a vehicle in a Kent field. | A farmer has said he is devastated by the deaths of 15 sheep, some of them heavily pregnant, after they were hit by a vehicle in a Kent field. |
| Chris Sargent found eight animals' bodies strewn across the field in Wrotham on Monday morning. | Chris Sargent found eight animals' bodies strewn across the field in Wrotham on Monday morning. |
| Seven more had to be shot after they had lain on the ground in pain all night, some with broken legs. | Seven more had to be shot after they had lain on the ground in pain all night, some with broken legs. |
| "It is unbelievable. Totally disgraceful," he said. "I wouldn't have a clue who did it. Joyriders, maybe." | "It is unbelievable. Totally disgraceful," he said. "I wouldn't have a clue who did it. Joyriders, maybe." |
| Mr Sargent, who runs Eastlands Farm in Catsfield, East Sussex, rents the field in Wrotham Hill, where he keeps about 80 sheep, from the St Clere estate. | Mr Sargent, who runs Eastlands Farm in Catsfield, East Sussex, rents the field in Wrotham Hill, where he keeps about 80 sheep, from the St Clere estate. |
| He said there were tracks all over the ground when he arrived. | He said there were tracks all over the ground when he arrived. |
| 'Deliberately run over' | 'Deliberately run over' |
| He added: "They have been out here for some time. It is not just a two-minute attack." | He added: "They have been out here for some time. It is not just a two-minute attack." |
| Kent Police said it was believed the sheep were deliberately run over by a four-wheel drive vehicle. | Kent Police said it was believed the sheep were deliberately run over by a four-wheel drive vehicle. |
| Some had missing limbs and those that were still alive were in great distress. | Some had missing limbs and those that were still alive were in great distress. |
| The gate to the field had been opened and a black moulded bumper bar from a Mark I Land Rover Discovery was found. | The gate to the field had been opened and a black moulded bumper bar from a Mark I Land Rover Discovery was found. |
| Police have appealed to anyone with information to come forward. | Police have appealed to anyone with information to come forward. |
| Insp Adrian Allen said: "This is a terrible crime that has resulted in great pain, distress and suffering and it is difficult to imagine who could do such a callous thing. | Insp Adrian Allen said: "This is a terrible crime that has resulted in great pain, distress and suffering and it is difficult to imagine who could do such a callous thing. |
| "We are keen to establish a motive for this attack as quickly as possible." | "We are keen to establish a motive for this attack as quickly as possible." |