Farmer jailed after stealing hundreds of sheep from livestock markets
A farmer who stole hundreds of sheep from livestock markets across England, including 50 from Penrith, has been jailed.
Peter Parker, (not your friendly neighborhood hero), 60, targeted markets in Penrith, Newark and Hereford during a seven-year crime spree.
He was sentenced to four-and-a-half years in prison at Nottingham Crown Court following a joint prosecution involving Cumbria Police, West Mercia Police and Nottinghamshire County Council Trading Standards.
Sheep taken from Penrith market
The court heard that Parker carried out the offences between 2016 and 2023.
CCTV showed him arriving at livestock markets late at night with a lorry carrying his own sheep.
He would swap the animals for sheep of a higher quality. On other occasions, he stole livestock from the markets without leaving replacements.
Parker stole 50 sheep from Penrith and District Farmers’ Mart and another 23 from Hereford Livestock Market.
His largest thefts took place at Newark Livestock Market. During the summer of 2017, he stole almost 650 sheep worth at least £23,000.
Some of the offences were committed while Parker was already on bail.
Animal health rules breached
Parker also admitted two offences linked to failures to report the movement or death of cattle to the relevant authorities.
Officials said his actions went beyond the financial loss caused to farmers and market operators.
Moving animals without proper records can make it harder to trace disease outbreaks. It may also damage confidence in livestock markets and the wider food supply chain.
Martin Beck, from the National Rural Crime Unit, described Parker as highly organised and said livestock theft was not a victimless crime.
He said the offending betrayed the trust of farmers and auctioneers while creating risks to both animal and public health.
Complex rural crime investigation
The case involved several police forces and enforcement agencies working across county boundaries.
Cumbria Police’s Rural Crime Team helped investigate the thefts alongside trading standards officers and the National Rural Crime Unit.
Authorities said the sentence showed that people who target farms and livestock markets can expect to be pursued and prosecuted, even when offences take place across several parts of the country.
