Two of the animals had to be destroyed after being bludgeoned with a metal pole and a wooden plank by Darryl Broadhurst (19) and a friend.

The pair filmed the sickening attack on a mobile phone and later bragged about what they had done.

Becky Mahon, prosecuting, said Susan Smith and her husband had kept five sheep as pets on a farm they no longer worked, at Poolsbrook.

One, nicknamed Teddylambkins, had been hand-reared by Mrs Smith. It was found in extreme pain in a ditch – covered in blood with both eyes missing and a shattered leg.

Another sheep had a broken back and was unable to stand while the third – the survivor – had a split at the front of its head.

Miss Mahon said feelinsg had run high in the local community and witnesses came forward. One said Broadhurst showed her a video of the attack on his mobile phone.

"The witness said both were laughing on the video," said Miss Mahon.
Broadhurst, of North Crescent, Duckmanton, admitted three charges of causing unnecessary suffering to sheep on November 9.

He had no previous convictions but the bench said the offence was so serious it warranted immediate custody and locked him up for four months.
He was
also given a lifetime ban on keeping animals.

They said the suffering of the sheep must have been horrendous and Broadhurst should reflect on how he would have felt if it had happened to him.

Bob Bashforth, mitigating, said Broadhurst had been haunted by "what was plainly an horrific attack".

"In the small hours, the horror of what he did keeps coming back to him. He's been suffering nightmares ever since."

Mr Bashforth said drink had played a part in the actions of Broadhurst, whose 17-year-old friend had suggested they "go and beat up some sheep".

He added that Broadhurst was attacked in the street following the incident and suffered a broken jaw.

His co-accused has admitted the same charges and was being dealt with separately in the youth court. He cannot be identified for legal reasons.