Man charged with stealing sheep

A man has been charged with the theft of sheep after nearly 50 of the animals were allegedly stolen from a farm in Derbyshire.

Police were called to a farm in Hathersage after reports that 49 sheep had been stolen in September last year.

A joint investigation was launched between Derbyshire, North Yorkshire and Lancashire police forces after similar offences were reported in those areas.

Andrew Piner, of Mill Lane, Gisburn, Clitheroe, in Lancashire, was arrested in April this year.

The 54-year-old has now been charged with theft for the alleged offence in Hathersage and conspiracy to steal pedigree sheep from a farm in Lancashire.

He is due to appear at High Peak Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday, November 5.

The sheep stolen from the Hathersage farm have since been recovered.