Mare knifed by 'pervert' in attack at stables

A SEX attack on a horse in Buckinghamshire may be linked to mutilations of mares in Hampshire last year, Thames Valley police said yesterday.

The mare suffered an internal gash 1 foot long and 4-6 inches deep in the assault early on Saturday, her owner said. Sir Nigel Mobbs, a director of Barclays Bank, said the 'horrifying' attack had been committed by 'a pervert who clearly has some anatomical knowledge of horses and wants to mutilate sexual organs'.

The mare, which was in stables behind Sir Nigel's home at Lacey Green, near Aylesbury, can no longer breed. The horse is recovering after receiving stitches.

Police said the attacker, who is believed to have used a large knife, may be responsible for similar assaults in Hampshire. 'It is the first attack of this kind in the area. We are not ruling out the possibility of connections,' a spokeswoman said.

Twenty horses were attacked in Hampshire last year, mainly in the Meon Valley, south-east of Winchester. One in four assaults involved genital mutilation. Two horses belonging to Davy Jones, the former singer with the Monkees, were attacked. One suffered a nine-inch cut to her genitals and had a broom handle or fence post forced inside her.

Hampshire police will launch a 'Horsewatch' scheme in March.