Here we take a look at some of the criminals locked up during the first third of the year.
All of the information below comes from either Sussex Police or our reporters attending court in person.
37. Locked up in Sussex 2023: These are some of the criminals jailed between January and April
A man has received a significant custodial sentence after he was caught on camera committing two robberies in a West Sussex town, Sussex Police has confirmed. Police said Michael Hooper first approached an elderly man at a cash point at Sainsbury’s in Crawley Avenue, West Green, on April 10 last year and asked him for some money. When the man refused, Hooper pushed him and snatched the cash from his hand, before running from the scene, Sussex Police added. During the second incident on May 22, he entered a newsagents in Ifield Road, West Green, and attempted to purchase a bottle of whisky, police reported. After his card was declined, he walked towards the till area but was challenged by staff, Sussex Police added. Police said he then reached over the counter and took a 70cl bottle without paying for it and ran out of the shop. Sussex Police said he returned just over an hour later, this time in possession of two Stanley knives, which he brandished towards staff behind the counter. Fearing for their safety, the staff activated the security alarm, police reported. In the meantime, Hooper again reached across the counter and this time stole two further 70cl bottles of whisky before leaving the store, Sussex Police said. Both incidents were captured on CCTV and the defendant was subsequently identified as Hooper, 43, of Leopold Road, Crawley. Police said he was arrested and charged with burglary, two counts of robbery and two counts of possession of a knife in public. Hooper pleaded guilty to all five offences and was sentenced to a total of 44 months’ imprisonment at Lewes Crown Court on February 24, Sussex Police added. Photo: Sussex Police
38. Locked up in Sussex 2023: These are some of the criminals jailed between January and April
A man left his victim unconscious in the street after violently attacking him, police said. Darryl Crane was jailed for carrying out the assault in Hastings. Police said he had been drinking with the victim, a 26-year-old man, at a flat in Hastings when he carried out the attack. Sussex Police said police officers later found the victim unconscious in the street outside with serious injuries. The victim was taken to hospital, with injuries including a fractured eye socket and internal bleeding in his head, as well as bruises to his body, arms and knees, police added. Police said he remembered very little of the incident apart from trying to escape from the flat, and remained in hospital for two weeks afterwards. He is still suffering as a result of his head injuries. Crane was arrested along with a youth, who cannot be identified for legal reasons, on suspicion of causing grievous bodily harm, police said. After a trial at Hove Crown Court on January 16 this year, Crane was found guilty by a jury of Section 18 Grievous Bodily Harm with intent. Police said Crane, 35, unemployed, of Halton Place, Hastings, was sentenced to nine years imprisonment and a further three years on licence. The youth, a teenage boy, was found guilty of Section 20 Grievous Bodily Harm. He was sentenced to a three-year youth rehabilitation order with a supervisory requirement, police added. The court heard how officers found the victim in the street in Priory Road, Hastings, at about 9.30pm on April 21, 2020. Photo: Sussex Police
39. Locked up in Sussex 2023: These are some of the criminals jailed between January and April
A man has been jailed after he was found guilty of two counts of rape and other offences against a woman in West Sussex, Sussex Police have said. Arthur Norris, known to most as Alfy Norris, sought to isolate the victim, who cannot be identified for legal reasons, and control her, police said. Sussex Police said that he claimed that the victim’s family and friends were “toxic” for her. Police were alerted after Norris attended her address and set fire to her car. She then disclosed how she had been raped and controlled by Norris, who forced himself upon her. Norris, 35, formerly of Montalan Crescent, Selsey, stood trial at Portsmouth Crown Court in December, charged with two counts of rape, arson, and coercive control. The jury reached unanimous guilty verdicts on all four counts against him. The court heard how the victim revealed the extent of the sexual offences and abuse after he had attended her address and torched her vehicle in July 22. Officers swiftly arrested Norris, and he was remanded in custody to await trial. In court on Monday, March 6, Norris was sentenced to seven years and eight months in custody. Photo: Sussex Police
40. Locked up in Sussex 2023: These are some of the criminals jailed between January and April
A man found guilty of the rape of two women has been jailed for 18 years. Andrew Mellis, 58, of Tarner Road, Brighton, appeared at Lewes Crown Court on Monday, March 6 for sentencing having been convicted by a unanimous verdict in July last year of four counts of rape. The first three offences had been disclosed following an investigation into an assault. During the investigation another woman came forward to report a further offence. The two women had victim impact statements read out to the court detailing the impact and long-term effects that Mellis's crimes had had upon them over many years. HHJ Christine Laing said that the crimes he had inflicted on his victims were 'brutal' and that he should feel shame at the way he had abused them. She deemed him 'a dangerous man' and in sentencing him to 14 years and ordered a further four years on licence in the light of the threat that he posed. He will also be placed on the sex offenders register for life. Photo: Sussex Police