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.
21. Locked up in Sussex 2023: These are some of the criminals jailed between May and August
An East Sussex fraudster who repeatedly deceived clients to fund his lavish lifestyle has been jailed, Sussex Police have confirmed. Duncan Grant, 54, of Chillies Lane, Crowborough was sentenced at Lewes Crown Court on June 1 having pleaded guilty on May 9 to a series of fraud and directorship offences. Sussex Police said that over a period of six years, Grant orchestrated a complex and large-scale fraud operation, convincing numerous individuals to invest in his cash spoiling device company, Patronus, and in purchasing ATMs to recondition. This was a legitimate enterprise, however he invested only a fraction of the money he received into the company and did not purchase any ATMs. Of the approximate £3.8 million collected, just £549,000 was used by the company. The rest of the money was used to fund his and his wife’s lifestyle of holidays, jewellery, and luxury £1 million plus rented homes and cars, police added. Grant was charged with 18 counts of fraud and 18 counts of directorship offences in October 2021 and has now been sentenced to 12 years and six months’ imprisonment. Photo: Sussex Police
22. Locked up in Sussex 2023: These are some of the criminals jailed between May and August
A man who defrauded his then-partner of £70,000 has been brought to justice following a Sussex Police investigation. Sussex Police said Andrew Camfield, 59, of Lansdowne Terrace, Eastbourne, was sentenced to a total of seven years imprisonment when he appeared at Hove Crown Court on Thursday, May 25. Police said his victim, Louise Wynne, was first introduced to Camfield by a close friend at Christmas in 2018. An intense relationship began and by February the following year Camfield had started to ask Louise for financial assistance, Sussex Police added. Police said he claimed to be due a large inheritance, but this never materialised. Sussex Police said Camfield continued to defraud her, using false promises and manipulation to exploit her financially. When her own funds ran low, she was forced to borrow money from her family to satisfy his demands, police added. A report was made to Sussex Police by Louise’s son, who first raised concerns that his mother was being defrauded by Camfield, police reported. Sussex Police said an extensive investigation ensued, led by Detective Constable Andy Mountford-Laker, culminating in Camfield being charged with fraud by false representation in June 2022. He pleaded guilty to the offence at trial on March 27, police added. Photo: Sussex Police
23. Locked up in Sussex 2023: These are some of the criminals jailed between May and August
A prolific shoplifter who targeted businesses across East Sussex has been jailed. Stephen Wood was sentenced to 10 months in prison for 21 separate shoplifting incidents when he appeared at court on May 23. His spate of offending also activated a suspended sentence, meaning he will serve a total of 34 months in prison. Wood had been identified as being responsible for multiple shopliftings in the district and attempts to arrest him were ongoing. A public appeal for information on his whereabouts was issued, resulting in a member of the public calling police when they found him hiding in their garden shed. Wood was arrested and charged with 21 counts of theft. This included multiple thefts from Tesco in North Street, Hailsham, and Co-op stores in Heathfield, Peacehaven, Bexhill, Horsebridge, Seaford and Newhaven. He stole items including hoovers, a television, boxes of hair straighteners and electric razors, alcohol, cigarettes, toys, and bedding. In total, he stole almost £5,000 worth of products during February, March and into April 2023. Wood, 33, and of no fixed address, pleaded guilty to all offences and was sentenced at Lewes Crown Court. Photo: Sussex Police
24. Locked up in Sussex 2023: These are some of the criminals jailed between May and August
A man who seriously injured another man in a knife attack has been jailed. Police responded to a report of a stabbing in Lansbury Road, Crawley, shortly after 9pm on November 11, 2022. The suspect, Cedric Perrine, was alleged to have stabbed a 19-year-old man, who was known to him, three times in the torso during an altercation in a car park. The victim was taken to hospital with potentially life-threatening injuries. Meanwhile Perrine, also 19, of Petworth Court, Crawley, was arrested and charged with attempted murder, assault by beating and a racially aggravated public order offence. He appeared before Crawley Magistrates’ Court and was remanded in custody. The case was managed by detectives from Crawley CID, working with the Crown Prosecution Service, who prepared a case for crown court. During trial, the defendant entered a guilty plea for wounding with intent, which was accepted by the crown and the victim in place of the three offences he was charged with. He was subsequently sentenced to nine years and seven months’ imprisonment at Lewes Crown Court on April 27, and ordered to pay a £228 victim surcharge. Photo: Sussex Police