In the wake of two Harden district men receiving suspended sentences over the theft of more than $100,000 worth of cattle, NSW Farmers is calling for tougher sentences.
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Harden man Nigel David Maher, 42, and Jugiong man Stewart Jon Weston, 63, were handed 12-month suspended jail sentences by Magistrate Peter Dare in Cootamundra Local Court over the theft of 72 head of cattle from a Queensland property in December, 2015.
Maher was convicted for selling and disposing of the cattle while Weston was convicted for his role purchasing and receiving the livestock.
Maher was also fined for offences relating to the transport of the cattle from interstate, while Weston received fines for removing NLIS ear-tags and other offences relating to the transport and receiving of livestock.
The cattle were stolen from ‘Mirage Downs’ near Cunnamulla in south west Queensland.
While NSW Farmers could not comment directly on the case involving Maher and Weston, Policy Director Jaimie Lovell did say strong action is needed to combat growing levels of rural crime in NSW.
Among these rural crimes are farm trespass and stock theft.
“NSW Farmers has been campaigning for meaningful improvements for police to be able to tackle rural crime and we are also seeking tougher sentences for people who trespass onto farms,” Mr Lovell said.
“Rural crime not only has an economic impact on farm businesses, the illegal activity often takes place on farms where people live, putting at risk their safety and violating their right to feel secure at home,” he continued.
Stock theft is on the rise in NSW with the Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research showing that between January and December 2015 and the same period in 2016, there was a jump of 35 per cent in cases.
Reports rose from 501 in 2015 to 766 the following year.
Furthermore, the bureau statistics revealed that the 482 animal thefts recorded between January and September 2016 had a clearance rate of less than 10 per cent after 90 days.
A spokesperson for Police Minister Troy Grant has defended the increase in stock theft saying the category created by the bureau relates not only to livestock but also includes people’s pets, meaning the jump was not necessarily a straight increase in duffing.
