A farmer has been captured on CCTV stealing sheep from a livestock market in the dead of night before selling them as his own. Over a seven-year period, Peter Parker, 60, from Brant Broughton in Lincolnshire, conducted a series of major livestock thefts, swiping hundreds of sheep from across England.
The Daring Heists
In one particularly audacious theft in 2017, Parker stole a staggering 650 animals from Newark Livestock Market, valued at an estimated £23,000. He also took 50 sheep from Penrith and District Farmers Mart and 23 from Hereford Livestock Market. The thefts were carried out with a lorry, swapping his own lower-quality sheep for higher-quality ones belonging to others.
CCTV footage from August 2023 shows Parker ushering dozens of sheep between two trailers—a large red one and a smaller grey one—during one of his heists. Some of these crimes occurred while he was on bail for previous offences.
Conviction and Sentencing
Last week, Parker was sentenced to four-and-a-half years in prison at Nottingham Crown Court. The conviction followed a joint prosecution by Nottinghamshire County Council Trading Standards, West Mercia Police, and Cumbria Police. He was also found guilty of two regulatory offences for failing to notify authorities of cattle movements or deaths, and eight further offences including causing unnecessary suffering to sheep.
Impact and Reactions
Parker's repeat offending had a serious impact on livestock markets, farmers, and confidence in animal health and food safety systems. Councillor Dawn Justice, Cabinet Member for Communities and Public Health at Nottinghamshire County Council, stated: 'Our Trading Standards officers take animal welfare and disease control very seriously. For years Mr Parker's offences have undermined animal welfare, disease control and trust in the livestock industry. Today's sentencing is an excellent result and sends a strong message that we will not tolerate livestock theft or breaches of the legal requirements that are in place to protect animal and public health.'
Martin Beck from the National Rural Crime Unit added: 'Mr Parker was highly organised in stealing sheep from around the country over a significant period of time. Livestock theft is not a victimless crime, not only did he betray the trust of livestock auctioneers and fellow farmers, the impact of his crimes created a risk to public and animal health.'
The National Rural Crime Unit thanked Nottinghamshire County Council Trading Standards and Cumbria Police for their work on the complex investigation. The Daily Mail has approached Cumbria Police and West Mercia Police for comment.
