Here we take a look at some of the criminals locked up during the final four months of the year.
All of the information below comes from either Sussex Police or our reporters attending court in person.
45. Locked up in Sussex 2023: These are some of the criminals jailed between September and December
A man has been sentenced for multiple incidents of rape on a vulnerable child in Sussex. Niall O’Sullivan groomed the girl, who cannot be identified for legal reasons, by sending messages with her on a mobile phone app. Police said that the 28-year-old travelled from Birmingham to Brighton in his car in order to meet her. He was interrupted by police officers who found him committing the offence in a car park in Brighton on May 7, police said. At Lewes Crown Court on November 24, O’Sullivan admitted and was sentenced for seven counts of rape. He was jailed for a total of nine years and four months. He will not be automatically released half way through his sentence, but must instead serve two thirds of the sentence before he can be considered for parole. The court also added an extra year to serve on licence following his time in prison. O’Sullivan was also made the subject of a Sexual Harm Prevention Order indefinitely, to restrict his access to children, and will also be a registered sex offender for life. The court was told how O’Sullivan, formerly a motor mechanic of an address in Birmingham, found the victim on the chat app in November 2022 and sent her messages. Police said that he met her for the first time in April this year, and committed six rapes in his car, often driving to car parks in order to do so. The victim revealed how O’Sullivan became angry with her when she tried to speak with or go out with other friends, police said. Police said that she received support from specially-trained officers and the Brighton Safeguarding Investigation Unit (SIU) led the inquiry into O’Sullivan. Photo: Sussex Police
46. Locked up in Sussex 2023: These are some of the criminals jailed between September and December
A fast food restaurant worker who raped a woman in East Sussex has been jailed. Sussex Police have said that Bogdan Cioropa, 28, of Staplefield Drive in Brighton, raped his victim at a property in Brighton on Friday, April 9, 2021. Police said that the victim reported the offence to police and Cioropa was arrested the following day on suspicion of rape. The woman was given support by specialist officers while an investigation was carried out, police have said. Cioropa was subsequently charged with rape, attempted oral rape and sexual assault, but left the country before his trial was due to start. Proceedings continued in his absence and a jury unanimously found him guilty of all three counts at Hove Crown Court on Thursday, 14 September. At Lewes Crown Court on Wednesday, 22 November, Cioropa was sentenced in his absence to nine years in prison. He was also given a 15-year Sexual Harm Prevention Order, a restraining order of 15 years and will be a registered sex offender for life. After extensive attempts to locate Cioropa in Europe, a warrant is with the Crown Prosecution Service for his arrest and extradition. Stringent measures are in place to ensure he will be apprehended should he attempt to re-enter the UK. Photo: Sussex Police
47. Locked up in Sussex 2023: These are some of the criminals jailed between September and December
A man who played a key role in the supply of Class A drugs from London to Worthing has been jailed for 11 years. Jamie Burrell was found in possession of a firearm, ammunition, cash and approximately 500 wraps of heroin and crack cocaine after police executed a warrant at his address in Vibart Gardens, Lambeth, on 25 October. It followed an investigation into the ‘MP’ County Drug Line, which was found to be supplying crack cocaine and heroin in the Worthing area. The 27-year-old – who has a previous conviction for possession of a firearm and ammunition – was identified as the line holder and he made admissions to this upon his arrest. He was subsequently charged and convicted of the following offences, all of which he pleaded guilty to: being concerned in the supply of a crack cocaine; being concerned in the supply of a heroin; possession with intent to supply crack cocaine; possession with intent to supply heroin; possession of a firearm less than 60cm in total length with a barrel less than 30cm; possession of a firearm when prohibited for life; possession of ammunition for a firearm without a certificate; possession of ammunition for a firearm when prohibited for life. Burrell appeared before Lewes Crown Court on Friday 15 December, where he was sentenced to a total of 11 years’ imprisonment. Photo: Sussex Police
48. Locked up in Sussex 2023: These are some of the criminals jailed between September and December
A man has been jailed for violent offences against police officers in Crawley. Michael Sardes, 25, of Tilgate Way was handed a suspended sentence on 26 July 2023 for four counts of assaulting an emergency worker and common assault in Crawley between June 2022 and March 2023. On 30 November, police were called to a disturbance at an address in Tilgate Way. Sardes was arrested to prevent a Breach of the Peace, and proceeded to behave erratically when in handcuffs. He spat at an officer, and later bit another when at the custody centre. He appeared at Crawley Maigstrates’ Court on Friday, 1 December where he pleaded guilty to two counts of assaulting an emergency worker, harassment and criminal damage. Sardes was sentenced to a total of 32 weeks imprisonment and was ordered to pay £130 compensation. Photo: Sussex Police