Yeovil man ordered to pay over £300k for role in farm machinery thefts

Avon and Somerset Police said Harry Hollowell was able to live a 'luxurious lifestyle', which included driving expensive cars and being able to live in a large house, at the expense of hard-working farmers who had their machinery stolen

Chris Brayford
clock • 3 min read
Chief inspector Joe Piscina, rural crime lead at Avon and Somerset Police, said: "The theft of plant and agricultural machinery and tools have a detrimental impact on the farming community, who already work tirelessly to provide for our communities. [Harry] Hollowell's actions [pictured] cost the victims thousands of pounds in time and materials and it is brilliant that those victims will receive some compensation for their suffering." (Avon and Somerset Police)
Image:

Chief inspector Joe Piscina, rural crime lead at Avon and Somerset Police, said: "The theft of plant and agricultural machinery and tools have a detrimental impact on the farming community, who already work tirelessly to provide for our communities. [Harry] Hollowell's actions [pictured] cost the victims thousands of pounds in time and materials and it is brilliant that those victims will receive some compensation for their suffering." (Avon and Somerset Police)

A man who lived a 'luxurious lifestyle' at the expense of farmers has been ordered to pay more than £300,000 after he purchased and sold stolen machinery from farm businesses. Avon and Somerset Police...

To continue reading...

Already a member? Login for full access.

Login

New to Farmers Guardian? Register for 1 free article per week or become a member for unlimited access to essential farming news and insights.

article-img-580x358

 

More on Rural crime

Ag students branded 'callous and sadistic' after blowing up sheep

Ag students branded 'callous and sadistic' after blowing up sheep

Judge hands out custodial sentences after pair convicted of killing sheep

clock 24 February 2026 • 1 min read
Humberside Police issue stark warning of driving on private farmland to commit hare coursing and poaching

Humberside Police issue stark warning of driving on private farmland to commit hare coursing and poaching

Following the arrest of two men convicted of hare coursing, the police force say they will go to great measures to seize vehicles crossing private land to commit crimes

clock 22 February 2026 • 2 min read
Pride and joy of farming being taken away by livestock worrying, farmers warn

Pride and joy of farming being taken away by livestock worrying, farmers warn

As the cost of livestock worrying increased by 10% to nearly £2m in 2025, farmers said the problem is only getting worse. Will livestock worrying ever get any better for the farming sector?

Chris Brayford
clock 21 February 2026 • 7 min read