Sheep rustler stole livestock worth £35k

A stockman rustled sheep worth £35,000 from farms on both sides of the Pennines including the farm where he worked, a jury heard.

Thomas Redfern, 26, had denied theft and burglary but was found guilty at Preston Crown Court.

His co-accused, farm manager Andrew Piner, 49, admitted both offences at an earlier hearing after keeping the sheep at his farm and a second address.

Both men were bailed for sentencing at Burnley Crown Court on 10 November.

'Despicable crimes'

The court heard 30 crossbred mule ewes, valued at £5,000, were stolen in September 2013 from Newton Hall Farm near Skipton, North Yorkshire, where Redfern, of Chisholme Close, Standish, worked.

Five months later, 58 pedigree Beltex and mule ewes carrying Beltex embryos worth £30,000, were stolen from Curwen Hill Farm near Wray, Lancaster.

The stolen sheep were eventually found - after evidence from the farming community - at Lathams Farm near Slaidburn, Lancashire and at a second address he rented.

The former property was managed by Piner, of Deer House Cottages, Gisburn, Clitheroe.

PC Andrew Massingham said: "These offences had a significant impact on the local community as they were committed by people working within and trusted by the farming community.

"It is completely unacceptable that people in such positions carry out these despicable crimes which affect the lives and livelihoods of those concerned."