Warning - distressing images: Farmer horrified after twenty sheep stripped of meat leaving carcasses and fleeces

WARNING: Distressing content.

There are growing fears among farmers in the Midlands after a land owner found a flock of sheep butchered in her field in Leicestershire.

Sophy Newton made the discovery on farm land in Cotesbach on Monday 8 July, where she found 20 sheep had been slaughtered and hung up on a tree.

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The animals had been killed and stripped of their meat - leaving only the carcasses and fleeces behind.

There are growing fears among farmers that a gang of organised criminals are targeting the sheep for their high-value meat.

Tim Price from the National Farmers Union says humans could be put at risk.

If you have been affected by this story contact:

• National Farmers' Union (NFU)

• National Sheep Association