Life-size model of goat stolen from Sheffield allotment

Annie Anthony-Mays, aged 58, said she has been unable to sleep at night ever since art installation ‘Billy’ was stolen from her allotment on Rustlings Road, Ecclesall, over the weekend.

The mum-of-two said the art installation was given as a present from three artist friends when she married husband Tony in June 2007.

Annie, of Ecclesall, said: “I am so upset. Ever since it was stolen I haven’t been able to sleep at night.

“It was a wedding present and it means a lot to me. I’m heartbroken, to be honest. I really love Billy.

“I just can’t understand why anybody would steal something like this. It’s not worth any money, but does have great sentimental value to me.

“I’m worried that it will be completely ruined if I ever see it again.”

Annie noticed the theft when she arrived to do work on her allotment on Sunday afternoon.

She said thieves stole a wheelbarrow in order to take the goat, as well as a range of gardening equipment.

“I just want Billy returned safely,” said Annie, who also works as a career advisor.

“He’s been a part of my life for nine years now and I have taken him with me with every house move and so on.

“I have been running around the area looking for him, in case it has been dumped somewhere, but I have had no joy. I hope he turns up.”

A spokesman for South Yorkshire Police said: “A range of gardening equipment was taken from the Rustlings Road allotments in Sheffield. It is believed that offenders unknown stole the equipment from a shed on the allotment ground.”

Anyone with information can call police on 101, quoting incident number 266 of August 8.