A group of men stole 14 cows, worth more than £20,000, and attempted to hide them on a farm.
The livestock had been checked by their owner and secured in a shed at a farm on the outskirts of Llanerch-y-medd, on Anglesey, North Wales, on 10 December 2022. When the farmer returned the following day, some of the cattle were loose and 14 were missing.
North Wales Police used CCTV footage to identify a lorry travelling to and from the area, later seen on the A55 heading towards Wrexham, which was used to steal the cows.
The police were able to link the vehicle to Liam Kettleborough, 29. He was arrested and analysis of his phone revealed messages between him and the other four defendants, Jack Billington, 23, Stanley Jones, 26, Michael McLeod, 57, and Clifford Smith, 65.
CCTV enquiries established that Kettleborough, McLeod, Jones and Billington had travelled together in a Toyota pickup from Wrexham to Anglesey. Once there, Kettleborough and Jones collected the flatbed lorry with a storage container strapped to the rear.
The pair loaded 14 cows – previously selected earlier that day - onto the lorry, while Billington and McLeod waited nearby in the pickup.
Enquiries, supported by CCTV, showed both vehicles travelled in convoy back in the direction of Wrexham.
Subsequent enquiries led officers to a cattle farm in Stoke-on-Trent, owned by Smith, where the stolen cows were taken to the following day.
Further tests revealed that two of the cows had given birth after being stolen. The calves were also recovered and returned to the victim.
It is believed the stolen cattle had been specifically selected to fraudulently replace some of Smith’s fallen stock, North Wales Police said.
All defendants were sentenced at Caernarfon Crown Court on Friday 20 March to the following:
- Jack Billington, 23, of Llyndir Lane, Rossett, Wrexham, was sentenced to 14 months in custody, suspended for 18 months, for conspiracy to commit a burglary with intent to steal. He must also carry out 150 hours of unpaid work and pay the victim £1,000 in compensation.
- Stanley Jones, 26, of Broughton Heights, Pentre Broughton, Wrexham was sentenced to 19 months in custody, suspended for two years, for conspiracy to commit a burglary with intent to steal. He must also carry out 210 hours of unpaid work and pay the victim £1,000 in compensation.
- Michael McLeod, 57, of Hunters Way, Llay, was sentenced to 19 months in custody, suspended for 12 months, for conspiracy to commit a burglary with intent to steal. He was also subjected to a six month curfew and must pay the victim £500 in compensation.
- Liam Kettleborough, 29, of Coventry Road, Rugby, was sentenced to 19 months in custody, suspended for two years, for conspiracy to commit a burglary with intent to steal. He must also carry out 250 hours of unpaid work and pay the victim £1,000 in compensation.
- Clifford Smith, 65, of Bunt Farm, Crewe was sentenced to 12 months in custody, suspended for 12 months, for handling stolen goods. He was also ordered to pay the victim £200 in compensation.
Speaking after the sentencing, investigating officer, PC Michelle Allsup said: “Thefts of this nature are thankfully rare, but they have a significant financial and emotional impact on businesses and families, often leaving rural communities left feeling vulnerable and intimidated.
“Although the victim was compensated financially by his insurance company and supported by NFU Mutual, who cared for the cattle during the investigation, the wider impact of this crime was considerable.
“Some of the stolen cows were in calf at the time, while others were intended for imminent breeding. As a result, the victim was forced to restart the breeding process, delaying the arrival of calves intended for sale, and affecting his expected income for that year.”
