Arrest warrants issued for pair after Hove burglar jailed for 43 months
A woman confronted a burglar in her Hove home, before discovering her belongings and bank card had been stolen.
According to Sussex Police, Jason Knight, 37 – of Chailey Road, Brighton – stole belongings, including a bank card, during the break-in at Waterloo Street on April 28.
The card was later used in nearby shops, police said.
Police said an ‘area search and enquiries’ led to Knight and two others being arrested.
After an investigation, and subsequent court proceedings, Knight – a ‘prolific burglar’ – was jailed for 43 months, police said.
He had been charged with burglary and fraud by false representation.
A police statement read: “Victoria Hayes-Sparkes, 32, of Western Road, Brighton, and Stefan Gilmore, 34, of no fixed address, were charged with assisting an offender. All three appeared before Brighton Magistrates’ Court on April 29.
“Knight appeared before Lewes Crown Court on May 26 and he pleaded guilty to two counts of fraud.
“Victoria Hayes-Sparkes and Stefan Gilmore failed to attend court and warrants have been issued for their arrest.”
On October 27, in the same court, Knight further pleaded guilty to burglary, police said.
Police said he was sentenced to 37 months in prison for the burglary, and a further six months for ‘breaching a suspended sentence’. This was ‘in relation to an assault charge’, which he was convicted of in January 2025.
Detective Constable James Botting said: "We understand that the impact of burglaries can be long lasting for victims, not just financially but emotionally too.
"Sussex Police will continue to investigate any report of burglary, pursuing all reasonable lines of enquiry to hold offenders accountable for their crimes and bringing justice to victims."