Here we take a look at some of the criminals locked up during the summer of 2023.
All of the information below comes from either Sussex Police or our reporters attending court in person.
13. Locked up in Sussex 2023: These are some of the criminals jailed between May and August
Two thieves who stole an 18 carat gold and diamond ring, worth an estimated £60,000 from a business in Eastbourne have been jailed. CCTV footage showed the moment that Shabir Patel and Khaqan Raja (pictured) entered a premises in Finmere Road. Police said they asked to see three high-value items, then grabbed the ring worth an estimated £60,000 and fled. The footage shows Raja pretending to take a phone call and leaving, before Patel snatched the ring. They both ran into a getaway car outside and left the scene. But thanks to work from Sussex and Surrey Police contact handlers, information was given to specially-trained officers who traced two vehicles in convoy from Lancashire. Police said that information had been received from a member of the public who saw the vehicles switching registration plates. Officers from the Specialist Enforcement Unit, Roads Policing Unit, and Tactical Firearms Unit joined the operation to locate the two vehicles. The getaway car, a Jaguar, was spotted on the A23 heading north towards Crawley at speeds of up to 120 mph, police said. It was located by SEU officers, who alongside RPU officers were able to safely bring the vehicle to a halt on the M23 north of Crawley. Later, a second vehicle, a VW Bora, was stopped by Surrey Police officers on the M25 heading north towards London. Photo: Sussex Police
14. Locked up in Sussex 2023: These are some of the criminals jailed between May and August
Patel (pictured) and Raja were arrested, and following an investigation by Eastbourne CID they were charged and remanded in custody. At Lewes Crown Court on April 26 they were sentenced. Raja, 36, of Roney Street, Blackburn, Lancashire, admitted driving while disqualified and theft of a gold platinum and diamond ring valued between £50,000 to £100,000. He was jailed for a total of two years and four months. Patel, 39, of Plane Street, Blackburn, Lancashire, admitted theft of a gold platinum and diamond ring valued between £50,000 to £100,000. He was jailed for one year. The court was told how the incident happened at about 1.50pm on February 9 this year. The two men were in the premises for less than ten minutes before stealing the ring. Crucially, a witness saw them swapping registration plates in Eastbourne, which allowed the force’s radio operators to provide vital details to roads policing officers. Photo: Sussex Police
15. Locked up in Sussex 2023: These are some of the criminals jailed between May and August
A Lancing man who admitted the manslaughter of his grandmother in Brighton has been jailed. Pietro Addis, 20, of Ring Road, was convicted of manslaughter following the death of Susan Addis, 69, who was found dead at her home in Cedars Gardens, Brighton, on Thursday, January 7 2021. He was acquitted of murder by a jury at Lewes Crown Court on Friday, March 3, on the grounds of diminished responsibility. At Lewes Crown Court on Friday, May 5, Addis was sentenced to 15 years, with ten to be spent in custody and further five on extended licence. Photo: Sussex Police
16. Locked up in Sussex 2023: These are some of the criminals jailed between May and August
Two young men have been jailed following an unprovoked attack on a family at a takeaway restaurant in Heathfield. Sussex Police said that the victims were sat in Domino’s, in the High Street, and were minding their own business when an egg was thrown towards them by a group of people outside. They confronted the youths, at which point the step-father, aged 53, was knocked unconscious and repeatedly punched and kicked as he lie defenceless on the floor. As a result, he sustained injuries including a fractured skull, police added. His step-son attempted to intervene and was also assaulted, suffering eye injuries. A number of youths were identified and the Crown Prosecution Service authorised charges of grievous bodily harm (GBH) against two suspects – Joshua Moody, 20, of Hammonds Green, Framfield; and Anthony Hayward, 21, of Waldron Thorns, Heathfield. Both defendants were under 18 when the incident occurred on the evening of November 30, 2019. Hayward pleaded guilty to GBH but Moody denied the offence and the case went for trial. He was found guilty by jury and sentenced to four years’ imprisonment at Hove Crown Court on April 21; Hayward was sentenced to 12 months’ imprisonment on the same date. Photo: Sussex Police