Latest news with #sheeptheft
The Guardian
29-05-2025
- Business
- The Guardian
Welsh farmer pleads guilty to stealing 73 sheep from neighbour
A Welsh farmer has been handed a 12-month suspended sentence after pleading guilty to stealing more than 70 sheep from a neighbour, citing financial stress. At least 73 ewes in lamb were rustled in March by Hywel Williams, of Llangadog, Carmarthenshire, from land belonging to Rhodri Llyr Evans near Llandysul. After a public appeal, Dyfed-Powys police recovered most of the animals, from land owned by Williams as well as from an auction mart and a local abattoir, where the sheep were found without their identifying ear tags. Several more were given to another farmer to pay off a debt. Williams was charged with theft on 10 May. In a statement at the time, Insp Matthew Howells said: 'I would like to thank everyone who shared our appeal, and the appeal from the owner, which was shared over 700 times. The support from farming communities near and afar has been vitally important in securing a positive outcome. 'I'd also like to thank those who came forward with information which enabled my officers to respond quickly, ensuring the safe return of these animals to their rightful owner.' As well as the suspended sentence, the 40-year-old was ordered to undertake 250 hours of unpaid work, and to pay more than £5,000 in compensation to Evans during a hearing at Aberystwyth magistrates court on Wednesday. Williams, who manages his 113-hectare (280-acre) farm together with an elderly uncle, told the court he had acted because of financial pressure but understood his actions were 'unacceptable', BBC Wales reported. Williams added that he 'deeply' regretted stealing the sheep and 'feels ashamed'. Evans told the court the incident had put 'unbearable stress' on his business and personal life. Livestock theft across the UK has soared in recent years, costing an estimated £2.7m in 2023, and posing risks to the animals' wellbeing and public health, as many animals end up sold on the hidden market. In recent years, police forces have begun using forensics to track stolen sheep. In 2024 the National Farmers' Union's Mutual insurance society funded the creation of a livestock theft officer role at the specialist National Rural Crime Unit.
BBC News
28-05-2025
- Business
- BBC News
Llandysul farmer steels 73 ewes from neighbour
A farmer under "financial pressure" stole more than 70 pregnant sheep from a neighbour, a court has Williams, 40, from Llangadog, Carmarthenshire, pleaded guilty to theft of the ewes from neighbour Rhodri Llyr of the 73 missing sheep were found on Williams' land in March, following a local tip off. Others were recovered without their identifying ear tags at a local abattoir and an auction mart while some were given to another farmer to pay off a debt. Williams, who lives on his 270-acre farm near Llandysul with his 81-year-old uncle, told Aberystwyth Magistrates' Court he "deeply" regretted his said he took the sheep because he was under financial pressure and accepted his actions were "unacceptable and feels ashamed".Mr Evans said the theft had causing "unbearable stress" on his family and business. The sheep stolen were all ewes in lamb, in an area which has seen the highest proportion of livestock theft in the UK between April 2024 and March 2025, the court was handed a 12-month suspended sentence and ordered to undertake 250 hours of unpaid work and to pay more than £5,000 in compensation.
