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.
29. Locked up in Sussex 2023: These are some of the criminals jailed between September and December
A motorcyclist who rode into a police officer in Eastbourne causing him significant injuries has been jailed. Alfie Chandler, 20, of Burlington Close, Feltham, London, was riding a ‘scrambler’ style motorcycle in Paradise Drive on 30 July when he failed to stop for officers and continued to ride towards them. He narrowly missed one officer but hit another on the arm and leg, causing serious injuries requiring surgery. Earlier in the day, two police officers had been carrying out enquiries in relation to a series of motorcycle thefts in the town when they spotted a rider in Meads Road. The motorcyclist rode away from them towards Paradise Drive, where two other officers were patrolling in a marked police car. The officers got out of their car to direct the rider to stop but he failed to do so. After the collision, the rider was arrested and identified as Alfie Chandler. Chandler was charged with causing serious injury by dangerous driving, handling stolen goods, driving without valid insurance, and driving while disqualified and appeared at Brighton Magistrates’ Court on 1 August. The case was referred to Kingston Crown Court and on 29 August, Chandler pleaded guilty to causing serious injury by dangerous driving, driving without valid insurance, and driving while disqualified. He denied handling stolen goods and the court ordered this charge to lie on file. He was remanded in custody and appeared at the same court for sentencing on 27 November, where he was jailed for three years. Photo: Sussex Police
30. Locked up in Sussex 2023: These are some of the criminals jailed between September and December
A man who threatened a driver with a machete has been jailed after DNA from his saliva was found at the scene. Thomas Powell, 28, of Woburn Way, Eastbourne, has been sentenced to a total of two years and nine months in prison after he chased a vehicle and caused damage to it with a weapon. On 18 February 2021, police received a report of a car driving aggressively trying to overtake another vehicle on Highfield Link, Eastbourne. The car was being driven by Powell, who shouted and signalled at the victim’s vehicle, flashing his car lights and beeping the horn, before throwing rubbish and debris at the victim’s car as he overtook it on the dual carriageway. In an attempt to resolve the issue, the victim followed the car into Burwash Close where Powell exited his vehicle and verbally abused the victim. Powell then retrieved a sheathed machete from the boot and struck the driver’s door frame, close to the victim’s head. As the victim drove away, Powell chased the car and smashed the nearside window with the weapon. The victim continued on to Eastbourne Police Station in Hammonds Drive to meet officers. Saliva located on the victim’s car positively identified Thomas Powell as the suspect and he was arrested on 23 February on suspicion of affray, common assault, criminal damage, and possession of an offensive weapon in a public place. He was later charged and after trial in September 2023, was found guilty of threatening a person with a blade/sharply pointed article in a public place and destroying/damaging property of value unknown. At Lewes Crown Court on 30 October 2023, he was sentenced to 33 months’ imprisonment and ordered to pay a victim surcharge of £190. Photo: Sussex Police
31. Locked up in Sussex 2023: These are some of the criminals jailed between September and December
A man has been jailed for human trafficking offences, due to his involvement in facilitating the illegal entry of 47 people into the UK. Sussex Police were called to reports of harassment at a hotel housing asylum seekers in Crawley on 26 June. It was later established through the police investigation that the victim had been smuggled into the UK. The victim – a 22-year-old woman – was smuggled in a small boat from France which was captained and organised by Kiki Gabar who is also known as Salam Jabar, 29, of no fixed address. An investigation was launched by Sussex Police and following enquiries with the Home Office and partner agencies, it was confirmed Gabar was involved in bringing the woman, and a total of 47 people, into the UK. Gabar pleaded guilty to entering the UK illegally and was found guilty of facilitating the pre-travel arrangements for human trafficking in France, facilitating illegal entry of 47 people into the UK and common assault. He was sentenced on Tuesday, 21 November at Lewes Crown Court to four years and one-month imprisonment. The victim, as well as the other 46 people who were smuggled into the country, are being supported and safeguarded by specialist officers and agencies. Photo: Sussex Police
32. Locked up in Sussex 2023: These are some of the criminals jailed between September and December
Two London men who stole designer jewellery, antiques, and high value electronic items across Sussex have been jailed. Lee Ash, 40 (pictured), and Reginald Hill, 45, appeared before Lewes Crown Court on 25 October and were each sentenced to six years imprisonment after pleading guilty to six counts of burglary at an earlier hearing. The court heard that on 18 September, Ash, of Sydenham Hill, and Hill, of Grove Park, broke into a property in Stoughton, and stole jewellery and a car key. Later that day, the pair forced entry into two properties in nearby Bosham and stole jewellery, silver items, a TV, and an Apple Mac and Apple products. Further reports were received of break-ins and burglaries at addresses in West Dean, Bosham, and Hooe, with items of silver, jewellery, Rolex watches, and antiques clocks stolen. Ash and Hill were both arrested on 19 September when they were stopped by officers in Kent. A search of their vehicle uncovered multiple valuable items, identified as those stolen in Sussex. They were charged with three counts of burglary and remanded in custody before appearing at court on the 24 October, where a further three counts of burglary were added to the indictment. Photo: Sussex Police