The arrival of the first lambs in spring is always special for any sheep owner, signalling new life and the arrival of spring. For the owners of a flock of sheep kept in the centre of Wells the arrival of lambs Horatio and Henrietta last week was an especially welcome piece of good news.

The arrival of the first lambs in spring is always special for any sheep owner, signalling new life and the arrival of spring.

For the owners of a flock of sheep kept in the centre of Wells the arrival of lambs Horatio and Henrietta last week was an especially welcome piece of good news.

Over the weekend one of John Green and Yvonne Asbury's Hebridean sheep, called Helga, was beaten and stabbed to death before being dragged from her field to be dumped in a wheelie bin on Sunday morning. She had been due to lamb.

Mr Green said he was devastated but the birth of the two lambs, their first since becoming sheep owners in November last year, had been a ray of light.

“They are wonderful and both healthy. And all the support we have had from the community has made this all bearable,” said Mr Green.

Mr Green, lived in London for several years where he was assaulted and had two motorbikes stolen

But he said the attack was the last thing he had expected since moving to Wells.

“I was absolutely gutted, saddened and gutted. Everyone in Wells is quite devastated. You just feel so helpless and do not feel safe leaving them. Words fail me.”

He and Ms Asbury, a carer, live in Park Road, about five minutes from the field, near the centre of Wells.

A former air conditioning engineer, he had a car crash in 2001 which left him paralysed for three months and with permanent back problems.

In November they bought eight Hebridean sheep, all with names starting with H, and six North Rondaldsay sheep, with names starting with R, both rare or at risk sheep, and a dozen goats.

“People walk a different route home from school so the can see them,” he said.

“People bring their vegetable scraps to feed to them. One woman brings her own wholemeal bread. Toddlers even feed them crisps, they are like little dustbins on legs.

“They are delightful little animals, very trustful and gentle and to us they are pets. They have all got very individual characters and individual traits.”

Five teenagers, aged 15 to 17, have been arrested and released on bail until early May in connection with the attack and an investigation launched by the RSPCA and police.

Anyone with information should contact Norfolk Police on 0845 4564567 or the RSPCA on 0300 1234999.

A note was left at the side of the field saying “I speak for my family and myself when I say we are passionate about all animals.

“We have loved and lost pets throughout the years. We have been born and bred in Wells, but never have we come across anything so BARBARIC.

“What on earth is the world coming to. It is such a sad loss of an innocent defenceless creature.

“We share your sadness.”