Updated: Farmer sentenced for stealing hundreds of sheep during seven-year period
Farmer is jailed for four and a half years for long-running series of thefts of livestock and other offences
A farmer from Lincolnshire has been sentenced at Nottingham Crown Court after being found guilty of committing a long-running series of livestock thefts and animal welfare offences.
According to Nottinghamshire County Council, Peter Parker, aged 60, of Brant Broughton, was found guilty of stealing hundreds of sheep from livestock markets across England. He was sentenced on Friday, May 8, to four-and-a-half years in prison following a joint prosecution between Nottinghamshire County Council Trading Standards, West Mercia Police and Cumbria Police.
The council says that between 2016 and 2023, Parker targeted Newark Livestock Market, Hereford Livestock Market and Penrith and District Farmers Mart. CCTV footage showed him arriving at the markets late at night with a lorry load of sheep, said the council, which he would swap for other sheep that were of a higher quality than his own. In some instances, Parker simply stole sheep from the livestock markets. At the Newark market alone, Parker was responsible for stealing almost 650 sheep worth at least £23,000 in the summer of 2017. He stole a further 50 sheep from Penrith and 23 from Hereford livestock markets. It was noted that Parker committed some of his offences while he was already subject to bail, says the council.
In addition to the livestock thefts, Parker pleaded guilty to two regulatory offences of failing to notify the relevant authorities of the movement or death of cattle, and not guilty to eight further offences under schedule 51 of Crime and Disorder Act 1988. These latter offences included failures to properly identify sheep and causing unnecessary suffering to sheep.
The eight offences he denied will return to the Magistrates Court at a date to be set.
Parker’s repeat offending was reported to have had a serious impact on livestock markets, farmers, and confidence in animal health and food safety systems.
Commenting on the case, Councillor Dawn Justice, Cabinet Member for Communities and Public Health at Nottinghamshire County Council said: “Our Trading Standards officers take animal welfare and disease control very seriously. For years Mr Parker’s offences have undermined animal welfare, disease control and trust in the livestock industry. Today’s sentencing is an excellent result and sends a strong message that we will not tolerate livestock theft or breaches of the legal requirements that are in place to protect animal and public health. Our Trading Standards officers will continue to work closely with market operators and enforcement partners to protect both farmers and the wider public.”
Martin Beck from the National Rural Crime Unit said: “Mr Parker was highly organised in stealing sheep from around the country over a significant period of time. Livestock theft is not a victimless crime, not only did he betray the trust of livestock auctioneers and fellow farmers, the impact of his crimes created a risk to public and animal health.
“Investigations into livestock theft often reveal that such crimes require specific agricultural knowledge, sometimes involving individuals close to the industry. Livestock theft is a serious issue. This conviction sends a clear message that the police and enforcement partners will pursue those who are involved rural crime.
“Police and enforcement partners are working together to pursue those who steal livestock and target the farming industry. We will find you and we will prosecute you.”
Concerns about the welfare of livestock or farm animals can be reported to Trading Standards through the Citizens’ Advice Consumer Helpline on 0808 2231133.