LAURA STEPS IN TO HELP FAMILY AFTER SHEEP MASSACRE
A FUND-RAISING page has been set to save Christmas for a disabled 10-yearold boy whose flock of sheep was slaughtered by thugs who cut their throats in a brutal attack.
Laura Newsham said she burst into tears when she read about the 12 sheep being killed when knife-wielding thugs slit their throats one by one after herding the poor animals into a shed.
Stephen and Carol Clamp spent more than £2,000 on 17 sheep as an early Christmas present for their severely disabled grandson, and kept them in a field off Main Street, in Newhall.
But they were devastated to discovered d that just two months s later the flock had been n trapped in their shed d and slaughtered. Miracculously, five of the sheep ep suffered stab wounds nds but survived.
Miss Newsham, 21, from Newhall, has now set up a Gofundme page and has already raised more than £100 in less than 12 hours.
She is the partner of the children’s uncle, Liam, and hopes to raise more than £2,000 to replace the sheep.
She said: “I decided to set this fundraising page up as I am part of the flock owners’ family. I am their son’s partner so I know their grandchild personally and have seen how heartbroken he is and it’s so, so sad.
“I am extremely upset for his loss as he loved his sheep. I have seen how happy his pet sheep made him and to see him so upset is truly heartbreaking.
“Seeing how upset Stephen and Carol’s grandchildren are struck me to set this page up in the hope we can raise enough to replace their sheep or even get just a few sheep to make their Christmas.
“Hearing what happened to the family’s poor, innocent, defenceless sheep is absolutely sickening and extremely upsetting.
“When I heard about the sheep I started crying.
“What kind of person could do such a cruel inhumane thing? It is beyond me.
“The amount raised so far is absolutely amazing, we are truly grateful.”
Anyone who would like to donate can visit www.gofundme.com and search for Laura Newsham sheep.
Mr Clamp, 59, told how his grandson went down to the field to feed the sheep and said he could not find them.
One was found dead in the field, and his grandson found the others in the shed and thought they were “asleep”.
Mr Clamp said previously ously: “We got there and they had just been massacred cred.
“T “Their throats had been cut and some had been sta stabbed.
“They killed 12 and a f further five were stabbed. We haven’t told our grandson gr what has actually happened. He thinks they were asleep.
“What kind of ‘animal’ m can do this to them?” t
An A RSPCA spokesman described the attack as “horrific’”.
Derbyshire police have now revealed three men have been arrested in relation to the attack.
A spokesman said: “Three men, aged 53, 26 and 25, were arrested on suspicion of criminal damage and have been released under investigation while inquiries continue.
“An investigation is ongoing and we would like to hear from anyone who may have any information or noticed any suspicious activity or vehicles in the area.”
Anyone with information is asked to contact Derbyshire
police quoting reference 20*583541 and the name of the officer in the case, PC Leanne Bull, by either calling 101 or via the police’s social media channels, or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.
A spokesman said officers believe it was an isolated incident and there was no wider risk to the public or other livestock.