Carmarthenshire man sentenced for sheep theft

A Carmarthenshire man has pleaded guilty to the theft of 73 ewes and has been ordered to pay £5,600 in compensation to owner Rhodri Llyr Evans.

Hywel Williams, 40, from Llanddeusant, was also sentenced to a 12-month prison term, suspended for 24 months, and ordered to undertake 250 hours of community service, by Aberystwyth Magistrates Court on Wednesday 28 May.

The sheep were reported missing on 23 March from a field near Rhydlewis, Newcastle Emlyn.

See also: 63 stolen sheep recovered after police appeal

Dyfed-Powys Police rural crime team investigated the theft and managed to retrieve most of the in-lamb ewes following various tip-offs from the farming community.

“Thirty of the sheep were located at Llanidloes abattoir and normally, once they are at an abattoir, they can’t leave and must be culled within 48 hours,” explained Inspector Matthew Howells, Dyfed-Powys Police Force rural crime team tactical lead.

“However, we managed to work with the Welsh government, the Animal and Plant health Agency  and the abattoir, and were able to get a licence to remove them as the ewes were heavily pregnant.

“They were placed in 20-day isolation and were returned to their owner.”

Williams, who was charged with the theft on 10 May, returned the remaining 24 sheep from his own holding.

Another 10 sheep had been sold at Llandovery market and could not be retrieved.

“I thank the farming community for their support in solving this case,” said Inspector Howells.

“Without their help it would not have been possible to return the missing sheep to their rightful owner.

“It shows the strength of unity in the community and the industry, and I would urge anyone who has concerns about rural crime to report any issues they have to the police – working together we will bring criminals to justice,” he added