Inquiry into horse attacks scaled down
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.POLICE have scaled down their inquiries into a series of attacks on horses in Hampshire. Despite a police operation lasting more than a year and the offer of a pounds 20,000 reward, there have been no charges.
Detective Chief Inspector Des Thomas, leading the inquiry, believes there are several attackers, each acting independently.
He said: 'We have learnt from our extensive interviewing and 26 arrests that there are a number of exceedingly strange people in our society. Each is a loner, and his bizarre behaviour would appear to be sexually motivated.'
A stud owner spoke for many when he said: 'It was bad enough to know we were looking for a person so degraded and so bestial to be capable of these crimes, but to hear now that there are a number of them defies belief.'
Operation Mountbatten, based at Alton and codenamed after a mare found dead in her stable, was set up with a control room ringed with computers to sift information from well over 1,000 telephone callers. The 26 arrests have not resulted in a charge, although two files are pending.
One is being studied by the Crown Prosecution Service and a second awaits further forensic evidence following the mutilation of an in-foal mare near Lymington a month ago, which led to the mare having to be put down. Her foal also died.
Det Ch Insp Thomas admitted to frustration at the lack of evidence: 'We cannot prosecute a person on information received that he has committed such acts in the past. We need something relevant to the case in hand. We are in a difficulty where there is no confession. Almost all the attacks have taken place unwitnessed and at night.'
Although Operation Mountbatten has been somewhat scaled down since a reduction in the number of cases occurring, four full-time officers remain to investigate all attacks.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments