Cornwall's rural community has been left reeling after the brazen theft of an entire flock of 64 ewes and lambs, leaving a farming couple on the brink of financial ruin. Michael Jefferies and Annie Taylor were celebrating a family birthday when they received the devastating news that their animals had vanished from land near the Halloon Roundabout, between St Columb and Indian Queens.
The theft occurred sometime between 3 PM and 10 PM BST last Saturday, with police suspecting that thieves may have been mistaken for legitimate farmers due to their presumed expertise. PC Lucy Wyatt, Devon and Cornwall Police's rural affairs officer, believes there is a "quite high likelihood" that someone witnessed the crime.
The stolen flock included valuable breeds such as Texel-cross-Roussin, Poll Dorsets, and North Country Mules, representing over 25% of the couple's small-scale farm. Mr Jefferies expressed his heartbreak, stating, "It was just heartbreaking to think that you've worked so hard to try and rear the animals and look after them."
Annie Taylor described the incident as "awful" and "devastating," highlighting the intensive labour involved in lambing. She added, "All that work with lambs, spent a whole month lambing them, getting to know the sheep that we just bought and then to have it all taken away - just devastating." The couple fears they may never see their sheep again, speculating that the animals could have had their tags removed and been sold on at a market or taken to an illegal slaughterhouse.
Mr Jefferies admitted that the theft poses a significant threat to their livelihood, stating, "It could break us because we're a small-scale farm." Police are urging anyone with information to come forward and assist with their investigation. The couple is now left to pick up the pieces and wonder if they will ever recover from this devastating blow.