Fears Hampshire Horse Ripper has returned after 26 years and psycho culprit could be next Ian Brady – The Sun

A BLOODIED sheep corpse lies in a road, satanic symbols daubed on its side.

The gruesome discovery is the latest in a string of animal slayings that have sent shockwaves through the towns and villages of the New Forest.

Now leading criminal profiler Mick Neville believes it could signal the return of the Hampshire Horse Ripper, who slashed, mutilated and abused more than 30 horses in a similar area in the Nineties before mysteriously disappearing.

And in a chilling warning, the retired Met detective fears it could only be a matter of time before the psychotic killer moves on to targeting people.

Mick, 52, says: Evil and violent minds are drawn to satanic rites, so the police must take these attacks seriously before the offender decides to obtain his perverted thrills by attacking people.

The ewe, found this month in Cadnam, Hants, had been stabbed eight times and was left lying alongside a pitchfork and straw cross.

In November last year another sheep was brutally stabbed in the village of Bramshaw. A pentagram a symbol popular in the occult was spray-painted on to its fleece and the devils number of 666 was plastered on to the door of a church there.

Another sheep had its entrails ripped out in nearby Boldre. The symbolism has led many to believe the killings could be the work of a satanic cult.

Mick said: There appears to be a satanic element with occult symbols sprayed on the targeted animals. Even more bizarre is that many of these attacks, in 2019 and the earlier spate in 1992, have occurred on or around a full moon.

We know a full moon can affect those with psychological issues, such as schizophrenia, and can create violent or aggressive behaviour.

Many serial killers the likes of Ted Bundy and Ian Brady began their evil careers by hurting animals before moving on to people.

During the Hampshire Horse Rippers three-year reign, attacks grew increasingly frenzied. In August 1991, Welsh cob Daphne was sliced with a Stanley knife.

In October 1992, four horses were slashed and one was fatally stabbed during a single attack. The following year a horse was burned with acid and 28 others were wounded with knives and corrosive substances.

Horses belonging to Anita Jones, 67, wife of the late Monkees singer Davy Jones, were among the victims. One of her mares was sexually assaulted with a pole and another had its shoulder slashed in July 1992.

2

Anita told papers at the time: It was horrific. Now if I hear the slightest noise outside I send the dogs out thinking it might be the horse lunatic. In response, Hampshire Police launched Operation Mountbatten, named after one of the horse casualties.

Ten-year-old Mountbatten was found by owner Robert Broderick, 81. Her neck, genitals and hindquarters had been slashed before she died of a heart attack.

Roberts wife Flora, 82, this week told The Sun the recent animal killings have brought back painful memories. She added: I saw news about the recent at- tacks and they just keep happening. I hate talking about it, even now.

At the time, the police said the attackers had come when it was dark a few nights before the killing and fed Mountbatten to get her used to them being there. Then on the night she was murdered they sneaked down and did horrific things to her.

Police issued a photofit of a suspect. But before they could close in, the attacks halted in 1993, as inexplicably as they had started.

Police expert Mick believes the 26-year gap in crimes may point to the ripper having spent a lengthy spell in prison or having left the area to join the Armed Forces.

He said: The attacks from the 1990s do bear similarities to the recent attacks sharp instruments used to attack horses, cows and other animals. The police need to look at why the attacks have restarted after some 25 years.

Has the offender been in prison? Did he or she serve in the Armed Forces and has now returned to where they offended as a teenager?

While attacks in the Nineties were mostly horses, this killer has moved on to different types of animals. It could be that hes targeting smaller cattle because hes now an old man, or simply because thats what he has easy access to now.

There is certainly a sexual element to the killings. The culprit is seeking a thrill. Wendy Maughan, 60, owned the latest sheep to be killed.

She said: The offenders must have a knowledge of livestock to do this and there is quite some intent and planning involved. It is sinister.

Farmer Andrew Parry-Norton, 51, who found the ewe, said: It looked as if it had been dragged into the middle of the lane. It was very creepy.

2

Its starting to get worrying in terms of putting animals out in the forest. A police spokesman said: We are looking into all lines of enquiry at this time and would link together similar crimes if the evidence allows us to.

Hampshire Police launched an investigation in January last year after six mutilated goat carcasses were discovered within a 20-mile radius.

One had its tongue cut out and another was found in a Tesco car park with its ear sliced off. Fears of a satanic cult tally with the New Forests historical links to the occult.

The religion of modern witchcraft, known as Wicca, was founded in the village of Highcliffe, Hants, in 1939 by eccentric archaeologist and nudist Gerald Gardner.

After the Government repealed laws making witchcraft a crime in 1951, Gardner gained fame through the panic caused by his book Witchcraft Today.

He defended himself to Richard Dimbleby on BBCs Panorama, insisting Wicca was not an excuse for sex parties, despite its naked rituals.

Hants Police have called in the Police Pagan Association (PPA) to investigate whether the latest round of animal violence could be linked to witchcraft.

The group, made up of 200 Heathen, Shaman and Druid officers within the police force, look into suspected ritual killings and animal attacks. The PPA believes the latest sheep killing is not linked to the occult, but rather to a mentally unstable individual.

Sgt Andy Pardy said: Whilst the pentacle, or pentagram, is used by Wiccan Pagans to represent the five elements, it is not unique to Paganism, being also used in satanism and occultism.

Having previously been involved in other investigations into the mutilation and harming of livestock, the suspects are usually not found to be affiliated with any religion or belief.

The actions instead are usually due to the mental health or antisocial tendencies of the offender. Animal campaigner and nature presenter Chris Packham, 58, lives in the New Forest. He has urged locals to watch out for unusual behaviour.

He added: Lets hope whoever is perpetrating these things makes a very early mistake and is apprehended really quickly.

Exclusive

BROTHERS at war Wills & Harry had 'furious' clash night before family day out at polo event

BRENDAN BATTERS BRITAIN Storm Brendan hits UK with 50ft waves, 80mph winds and blackouts

WHAT MEGHAN WANTS, MEGHAN GETS Queen gives in to Harry & Meg and says they CAN quit Royals

MAJ-OR CLUES What Queen's statement really means and the hint Harry and Meg may lose titles

duke it out Harry & Wills deny 'offensive' bully claims in rare show of unity during Megxit

FAMILY FEUD Rift began when Will told Harry that mum Diana wouldn't want him to wed so fast

But one New Forest local, who did not want to be named, echoed fears the livestock slayings could lead to human deaths.

He said: People are saying that someone killing animals could be practice for murdering humans. Thats the next step.

No doubt New Foresters will be bolting their stables and their own doors until the killer is caught.

See the original post here:

Fears Hampshire Horse Ripper has returned after 26 years and psycho culprit could be next Ian Brady - The Sun