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.
33. Here we take a look at some of the criminals locked up during the summer of 2023.
A woman who suffered years of domestic abuse has been praised by police for supporting a prosecution. Lee Messam has been jailed after his former partner bravely came forward to give evidence against him. The 50-year-old, from Seaford, was responsible for a series of violent outbursts, often in the presence of their three children, and inflicted numerous injuries upon her, as detailed in medical notes. The pair had been in a relationship from 1992, but Messam’s behaviour soon became controlling and coercive. This included controlling her finances, what she wore and who she spoke to. The victim was eventually encouraged to report the abuse by one of her children, who was concerned for the welfare of her family. The allegations were investigated by a team of officers from Eastbourne CID, led by Detective Sergeant Amanda Hover. This led to Messam being arrested and charged with engaging in controlling and coercive behaviour between December 2015 and September 2020. He pleaded guilty to the offence in court on April 18, where it was heard how he burnt his partner in the face with a cigarette butt, strangled her with a dressing gown cord, smothered her with a pillow and punched her in the face on numerous occasions. The case was adjourned until July 5 at Lewes Crown Court, where Messam was sentenced to 38 months’ imprisonment, consisting of 19 months in custody followed by 19 months on licence. He was also given a restraining order against the victim and two of their children, which lasts until further notice. Three counts of assault, between 2014 and 2020, are to lie on file. Photo: Sussex Police
34. Locked up in Sussex 2023: These are some of the criminals jailed between May and August
A Bognor Regis couple who neglected, abused and exploited a vulnerable man – who was the husband of one of the accused – have been jailed. Sarah Somerset-How, 49, of Aldwick Road, conspired with her husband’s carer, 40-year-old George Webb, of Flansham Lane, to leave their victim bedbound and malnourished while they took advantage of him for their own gains. At Portsmouth Crown Court on July 14, they were both jailed for 11 years. Webb was originally hired as a live-in carer for Somerset-How’s 40-year-old husband, Tom, who required round-the-clock care, in 2016. Over the next four years, Tom was physically and psychologically abused, left without sufficient food and drink and forced to live in squalid conditions. Somerset-How took out loans in Tom’s name, leaving him in significant financial difficulty. He was separated from his family, who reported the situation to the police in August, 2020, after he revealed the horrific circumstances in which he was living to a friend. He was moved to safe accommodation while an investigation was launched. Texts from the defendants’ mobile phones showed they had become involved in a sexual relationship and intentionally neglected their victim to take drugs and plan nights away. Webb was subsequently arrested and charged with wilful neglect as a care worker, holding a person in slavery/servitude, causing actual bodily harm, fraud by false representation and theft. Somerset-How was also charged with wilful neglect as a care worker, holding a person in slavery/servitude, fraud by false representation and theft. At Portsmouth Crown Court on Friday, May 12, both were found guilty of wilful neglect and holding a person in slavery/servitude. Webb was also found guilty of causing actual bodily harm. Somerset-How and Webb were found not guilty of fraud by false representation and theft. Photo: Sussex Police
35. Locked up in Sussex 2023: These are some of the criminals jailed between May and August
A man has been jailed for a seemingly unprovoked knife attack on another man in Crawley. Police responded to a report of a stabbing in Gossops Drive on the evening of March 11, 2022. A 31-year-old local man sustained a knife wound to the neck and was taken to hospital for emergency surgery. Through enquiries, including CCTV trawls and witness statements, police arrested the suspect Callum Steer the next morning. He remained silent throughout police interview and offered no explanation or defence to the allegations. He was subsequently charged with committing grievous bodily harm. The 23-year-old, of Rosedale Close, Crawley, pleaded guilty and was sentenced to eight years’ imprisonment – consisting of six years in custody plus two years on licence – at Lewes Crown Court on June 28. Photo: Sussex Police
36. Locked up in Sussex 2023: These are some of the criminals jailed between May and August
A former school teacher who sexually abused a number of boys aged eight to 14 was jailed for nine years on July 10. Over the course of two trials – one in February 2022, and the other in April 2023 – Piers Le Cheminant, now 77, was convicted of ten counts of indecent assault against nine different boys. The assaults took place against students during Le Cheminant's time at two schools, one in Chichester, West Sussex and another in Wiltshire a number of decades ago. At both schools, Le Cheminant was asked to leave after complaints were made about him. Winchester Crown Court heard how Le Cheminant, of Spitchwick Manor in Newton Abbot, Devon, would call boys to the front of the class, put his hands down their trousers and touch them inappropriately in front of other students, often several times a week. He also watched students shower in the basement facilities, often touching them on the buttocks before or afterwards. The court also heard how, at the Wilshire school where Le Cheminant moved after his conduct in Sussex was reported, the school teacher entered pupil’s dorm rooms and touched several boys under their pyjama bottoms – including one as young as nine-years-old. He was sentenced to nine years imprisonment on each of the ten counts of indecent assault, to be served concurrently. He will spend six years in prison, and, if he reoffends during the remaining three years, will be recalled to prison. He was also given a lifelong Sexual Harm Prevention Order, any breach of which will result in five years imprisonment, and was made to sign the sexual offenders register. Photo: Sussex Police