Devon farmer investigated after sheep reported stolen are found in his fields
Police found sheep a Devon farmer had reported stolen, grazing alive in his own rented fields during a search warrant. He is under investigation over suspected insurance fraud after claiming for more than 650 sheep, a case that police say could affect insurers and premiums for genuine customers.
The 24-year-old man claimed nearly £100,000 across three claims in 12 months; £28,220 was paid for two claims, while a third claim for £64,800 was stopped after investigators and the insurance industry intervened. Officers arrested him on suspicion of fraud offences and seized documents and a mobile phone. They also found two shotguns that breached licensing conditions; the sheep were checked and found well.
In short
- Reported stolen sheep were found alive in the farmer’s own fields.
- Two insurance claims paid out £28,220; a third was stopped.
- The 24-year-old farmer has been released under investigation.
Steelman: both sides, in good faith
The strongest fair case each way — we don't pick a winner.
The case for
A thorough investigation is justified because the claims involved a large number of animals and substantial sums, and finding sheep reported stolen alive in the farmer’s rented fields raises serious questions about whether the claims were accurate. Insurers and police have a responsibility to investigate suspected fraud, protect policyholders from losses that can feed into premiums, and gather evidence fairly before deciding whether any offence occurred.
The case against
The farmer is under investigation, not convicted, and the discovery of the sheep in his fields does not by itself establish what happened or whether any claim was knowingly false. A fair process should test the evidence behind each claim, account for possible errors or disputes over ownership and loss, and avoid treating suspicion or the separate licensing issue as proof of insurance fraud.
Explained simply
Sheep farmers may insure their flocks against losses, including theft. When a farmer reports animals stolen and makes a claim, insurers may investigate before deciding whether to pay.
In this case, police say they found some of the sheep in fields rented by the farmer who had reported them missing. The 24-year-old is being investigated over suspected insurance fraud; an investigation is not a finding of guilt.
The case matters because insurers rely on accurate claims when setting cover and prices for customers. It also involves separate questions about firearm licensing, after police found two shotguns they say breached their conditions.
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Originally published by Daily Mail as “Arrested for attempted fleecing: Moment sheep that farmer said had been stolen three times are spotted in his field as he is held over £100,000 insurance fraud”.