The UK Ministry of Defence (MoD) has engaged legal services to facilitate the eviction of a convicted sheep rustler from its property on the Beckingham military estate in Lincolnshire. Peter Parker, 60, who had been a tenant at Whitegate Farm, was sentenced to four and a half years in prison in May after being found guilty of stealing more than 700 sheep over a seven-year period.

During his criminal activities, Parker reportedly visited livestock markets and replaced farmers' higher-quality sheep with lower-grade animals from his own stock, often arriving late at night with lorry loads to carry out the swaps. This operation ultimately led to his prosecution and imprisonment.

In response, the Defence Infrastructure Organisation (DIO), which oversees the management of MoD lands, is seeking legal assistance to terminate Parker’s tenancy at Whitegate Farm promptly. The DIO has commissioned the law firm Burges Salmon, awarding them a contract valued at approximately £9,500 for advice related to the eviction process.

Officials have indicated the move is part of broader efforts to maintain security and proper use of military estate properties. The case highlights ongoing challenges in managing rural tenancy arrangements on government lands and ensuring compliance with legal and ethical standards.