Sheep rustler stole livestock worth £87,000
© Tim Scrivener Sheep worth more than £87,000 were stolen in raids on livestock farms in Herefordshire, a court heard.
Daniel Smith, 25, pleaded guilty to four charges of theft when he appeared at Hereford Magistrates Court this week.
The 25-year-old admitted stealing 308 sheep worth £43,120 from L Thomas & Sons in Sutton St Nicholas between December 9 and 13 2020.
See also: What to do if you’re a victim of… sheep rustling
Between 9 and 12 December, he stole 74 sheep worth £9,250 from farmer Richard Morgan in Marden.
In addition, 167 sheep worth £22,910 were stolen from AJ & JM Abberley between November 2 and 4 2020, and 103 sheep worth £12,360 from Hereford farmer Martin Skyrme between January 24 and 27 2021.
Smith, of Upper Court, Sutton St Nicholas, Herefordshire had his case sent to Worcester Crown Court for sentencing to take place on 4 August after magistrates decided the offences were too serious for their own sentencing powers.