The man in his 20s – who was this week sentenced to 26 months prison on family violence-related charges – disputes his involvement in the thefts at Horfield on January 15 and 16.

He appeared in the Bendigo Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday.

The court heard he and another man allegedly stole the cows over two nights after a “deal went wrong” with the property owner.

The pair allegedly took four Holstein heifers from the dairy farm on the first night, leading the cows onto the back of their ute.

They then allegedly drove away without their headlights on, taking the cows to a property west of Echuca.

The court heard they returned the next night and took a further four Holsteins and a bull calf, once again driving away without their headlights on.

The property belonged to a family member of the co-accused.

The man initially denied his involvement, but a statement from the co-accused named him as present during the alleged thefts.

He then denied it was a “theft”, but magistrate Richard Wright said it was “unusual” for them to drive away without their headlights on.

The man will reappear in court at a later date.