CONVICTED (2023) | Luke Keith Ward, born 13 November 1985, of Upper Woodview Terrace, Beeston, Leeds LS11 6JZ – stabbed and slashed horses in a field and tried to strangle one of them.
Sadistic Ward’s vicious attack on the defenceless horses took place at a farm off Hall Lane in Farnley, Leeds, around July 15, 2022,
Ward attacked one pony and three horses in total.
One was found with slash wounds across her throat and had also been stabbed in the neck. An elderly pony had a shoelace tied around his neck in an apparent strangulation attempt.
The injuries included deep cuts and slashes to the neck and face. The horses were left covered in blood and scarred.
A blood-stained knife with an 8-inch blade was found at the scene and forensic analysis found Ward’s DNA on it.
When Ward, who had lived opposite the farm at the time of the incident, was interviewed about the offences, he initially denied being involved.
He was subsequently charged with four offences of causing unnecessary suffering to an animal and pleaded guilty during an earlier court appearance.
Judge Simon Phillips KC, sitting at Leeds Crown Court, described Ward’s actions as ‘sadistic’ and said they had caused distress to the animals and their owners.
He said the owners had also faced vets bills running into hundreds of pounds.
The horse yard had increased security and had installed a £1,000 CCTV system.
PC Rachel Harrison, of Leeds West Patrol Team 3, who investigated the offences, said: “Ward targeted these defenceless animals and caused serious injuries to them which left them in significant pain and distress.
“He has not explained his actions and we can only assume that he derived some sense of satisfaction from inflicting these injuries on them. As well as the pain and distress caused to the horses, these incidents also caused upset to the owners and understandable concern in the local community.
“When he was interviewed, Ward denied the offences and said that he had grown up with horses and would never hurt any animal, but the forensic evidence linked him to the scene and resulted in his guilty pleas.
“We hope it will provide some reassurance to the victims and to the wider community to know that he has now had to answer for his actions.”
Sentencing | 45 months in prison. Banned from keeping or owning any animal for life.
What a poor excuse. Mental health he’s just purr evil. He’s gone out and done that it was premeditated else I would be carrying a stanley blade on him.
I dont think it matters if it’s an animal or human you hurt should carry the same sentence. And if you carry a knife with no good reason you should be sentenced a lengthy custodial. He needs to made an example of…
A dangerous monster. A threat to anyone he can attack.
Hang that moterkuff!