SHEEP worth more than £35,000 were stolen by rustlers in two raids near Skipton and Lancaster, a court heard.

Following an extensive investigation, two men have been convicted of theft after DNA evidence from the stolen ewes confirmed they were the missing sheep.

Thomas Redfern, 25, denied being involved in the burglary of 88 ewes after the animals were taken in raids at Newton Hall Farm, Bank Newton, and Curwen Hill Farm, Wray.

Andrew Piner, 45, manager at Lathams Farm, near Slaidburn, admitted theft at an earlier hearing at Lancaster Castle and Redfern was found guilty of two counts of theft relating to the sheep following a trial at Preston Crown Court last week.

The jury heard that farmer Daniel Towers had invested his life savings in the flock at Curwen Hall Farm, Wray.

In September 2013, Redfern was working as a stockman at Newton Hall Farm when 30 crossbred mule ewes, worth £5,000, were stolen.

Five months later in February 2014, 58 pedigree Beltex and recipient mule ewes carrying Beltrex embryos were stolen in a burglary at Curwen Hill Farm near Wray. The value of that theft was in excess of £30,000.

Officers from Lancashire Police’s rural crime unit launched an investigation which led to Lathams Farm being searched under a warrant.

Stolen sheep from both thefts were found at the farm and at another address nearby, rented by Piner.

PC Andrew Massingham, community beat and wildlife officer for the Lower Lune Valley and investigating officer, said: “These offences had a significant impact on the local community as they were committed by people working within and trusted by the farming community.

“It is completely unacceptable that people in such positions carry out these despicable crimes which affect the lives and livelihoods of those concerned.

“As a result of these offences Lancashire Constabulary has worked and is working very closely with the NFU and farmers in the area and has created the Farmers Network.

“There is a very close working relationship with the rural community, which has been bolstered by this result at court. It sends a clear and unequivocal message that crime within rural areas is unacceptable, will be investigated and those concerned will be brought to justice wherever possible”.

Redfern, of Chisholme Close, Standish, and Piner, of Deer House Cottages, Gisburn, will be sentenced together at Burnley Crown Court on November 10.