Man charged over £80,000 rural crime

A man’s been charged over rural crime worth more than £80,000 – including the theft of four working sheep dogs and more than a dozen cows.

The sheep dogs, worth around £15,000, were stolen from the Huntly area, in January 2016. The dogs were later traced safe and well.

The 29 year-old man from Alford has also been charged in relation to the theft of a tractor, digger and trailer worth £34,000, from the Lumphanan area in June last year. All the items were recovered

In addition he has been charged in relation to the theft of cattle worth nearly £30,000 from Kinellar and Monymusk in June and July last year. Fourteen of the cows were recovered.

He has been reported to the Procurator Fiscal and is likely to appear at Aberdeen Sheriff Court at a later date.

Detective Constable Chris Riddoch said: "Our enquiries are continuing and I would like to appeal to anyone who may have information in relation to these crimes, or other crimes in the area, to contact us on 101 or if you would prefer to remain anonymous, you can contact the charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111."

Aberdeenshire South Local Area Commander, Chief Inspector Murray Main, said: "We would like to thank the local communities and our colleagues across the country who have assisted with this enquiry as well as our partners, including animal health inspectors and others.

"We will continue to work with all our partners, communities, farmers, land owners and residents in rural areas to ensure they are kept as safe as possible."

He added: "Rural crime can have a devastating effect on its victims and costs farmers and business owners as well as the economy thousands of pounds and Police Scotland is committed to tackling it."