ROBERT IORDAN, FLORIN NUTU AND VIOREL MANU FROM ASTON SENTENCED FOR HORRIFIC SHEEP SLAUGHTER IN BIRMINGHAM

In a disturbing series of crimes that sent shockwaves through the livestock farming community, three Romanian nationals—Robert Iordan, Florin Nutu, and Viorel Manu—residing at 41 Dunsink Road, Birmingham B6 6PL, were found guilty of slaughtering and butchering approximately 350 sheep over a span of four months. The heinous acts took place between June 22 and October 7, 2019, as the trio traveled across rural areas within the county, targeting sheep in the dead of night with the intent of stealing meat for profit.

These attacks, characterized by their brutality and methodical nature, caused widespread fear among local farmers and livestock owners. The perpetrators would arrive under cover of darkness, execute their gruesome slaughter, and leave behind scenes of carnage that shocked the community. The sheep and lambs were captured, often with the use of vehicles and weapons brought onto farmers’ fields, and then subjected to inhumane killing methods. Witnesses and law enforcement reports detailed how the animals were often stabbed in the throat with knives, suffering slow and painful deaths. Following the slaughter, the sheep’s throats were sometimes forcibly blown up with pipes inserted into their necks, after which their skins were removed, and remains discarded at the scene.

Thanks to diligent work by Northamptonshire Police’s rural crime team, aided by intelligence from NFU members and local farmers, the suspects were eventually tracked down and arrested. The investigation revealed the extent of the conspiracy, which involved the systematic slaughter of hundreds of sheep and lambs in a calculated effort to profit from the meat.

During a court hearing in October 2019 at Northampton Crown Court, prosecutors laid out the gruesome details of the operation. The prosecution lawyer described the crimes as barbaric and unprecedented, emphasizing the cruelty inflicted upon the animals. The court heard that vehicles and weapons were used to facilitate the killings, with the animals often being captured in the fields of local farmers. The inhumane methods employed included stabbing and inflating the sheep’s throats, followed by skinning and leaving the remains behind.

Harriet Ranson, a county adviser for the NFU representing Leicestershire, Northamptonshire, and Rutland, expressed her satisfaction with the outcome of the case. She highlighted the terror that these crimes had instilled in the farming community, stating, “These crimes were horrific, barbaric and unprecedented and had the whole livestock farming community in Northamptonshire and neighbouring counties living in fear that they would be next for months.” She praised the courts for their firm stance, noting, “It is fantastic to see the courts treating these appalling crimes with the seriousness they deserve and handing down suitably lengthy prison terms to these dangerous men.”

Ranson also emphasized the importance of community cooperation, saying, “This case really highlights how important local information from farmers, the NFU and the public is in helping to bring offenders before the courts.” She extended her gratitude to Northamptonshire Police, their rural crime team, and the police and crime commissioner for their relentless efforts in pursuing justice. The message was clear: anyone contemplating similar crimes should be aware that they will be caught and face severe punishment.

As for the sentencing, Robert Iordan and Florin Nutu received prison terms of four years and four months each, while Viorel Manu was sentenced to serve two years and eleven months behind bars. The case serves as a stark reminder of the brutal impact of such crimes on rural communities and the ongoing efforts by law enforcement to combat rural crime in the region.