- England -
53-year-old DEREK JENNINGS (pictured below), former Ukip candidate, has been sentenced to 20 months in prison after he punched a police mare in the face.
On September 24, 2019, before the Carabao Cup football game Portsmouth vs. Southampton (one of the most intense rivalries in English football), JENNINGS, was crowding the city streets with many other thousands of fans waiting for the arrival of the away supporters.
At some point, JENNINGS, father of two, became aggressive towards police officers and the rival supporters. An officer who was riding a mare named Luna, headed towards the accused who clenched his fist and punched Luna in her nose and mouth.
Sweet Luna immediately shied away but JENNINGS tried to hit her two more times.
He then ran away but was immediately stopped by police on foot and was taken into custody.
Thankfully, Luna was uninjured and was able to remain on duty.
After the sentencing hearing that took place on July 31, at Portsmouth Crown Court, DCI John McGonigle said: “For a grown man to act in this way was deplorable, especially against an animal, who was simply there to help protect people who wanted to enjoy the game and get home safely."
Judge William Ashworth handed down also a six-year football banning order against JENNINGS.