Here we take a look at some of the criminals locked up during the first four months of the year.
All of the information below comes from either Sussex Police or our reporters attending court in person.
25. Locked up in Sussex 2024: These are some of the criminals jailed between January and April
Detectives have successfully dismantled a major drugs gang, who have been sentenced to 78 years’ imprisonment. Fifteen defendants have so far been convicted of their involvement in the mass distribution and supply of Class A and B substances in the Worthing area between March 2020 and June 2021. During this time, officers identified two local Organised Crime Groups (OCGs) who were purchasing large quantities of cocaine and cannabis from other OCGs in London, Luton and elsewhere, and selling them on for profit locally. Through painstaking investigations and working with partners, police were able to identify a number of suspects. A number of warrants and stop checks were executed across the county, leading to the seizure of around six kilograms of cocaine and cannabis with a wholesale value of £201,000 to £240,000 and street value of £480,000 to £600,000, 868 grams of cannabis and around £157,795 cash. Multiple arrests were also made. Steven Bennett, 43, of South Street, Lancing, was found guilty by jury and sentenced to two years and three months’ imprisonment for conspiracy to supply cocaine. Photo: Sussex Police
26. Locked up in Sussex 2024: These are some of the criminals jailed between January and April
Detectives have successfully dismantled a major drugs gang, who have been sentenced to 78 years’ imprisonment. Fifteen defendants have so far been convicted of their involvement in the mass distribution and supply of Class A and B substances in the Worthing area between March 2020 and June 2021. During this time, officers identified two local Organised Crime Groups (OCGs) who were purchasing large quantities of cocaine and cannabis from other OCGs in London, Luton and elsewhere, and selling them on for profit locally. Through painstaking investigations and working with partners, police were able to identify a number of suspects. A number of warrants and stop checks were executed across the county, leading to the seizure of around six kilograms of cocaine and cannabis with a wholesale value of £201,000 to £240,000 and street value of £480,000 to £600,000, 868 grams of cannabis and around £157,795 cash. Multiple arrests were also made. On January 17, Dean Mazirel, 39, of South Street, Tarring, was sentenced to four years and three months’ imprisonment after pleading guilty at an earlier hearing to conspiracy to supply cocaine. Photo: Sussex Police
27. Locked up in Sussex 2024: These are some of the criminals jailed between January and April
Detectives have successfully dismantled a major drugs gang, who have been sentenced to 78 years’ imprisonment. Fifteen defendants have so far been convicted of their involvement in the mass distribution and supply of Class A and B substances in the Worthing area between March 2020 and June 2021. During this time, officers identified two local Organised Crime Groups (OCGs) who were purchasing large quantities of cocaine and cannabis from other OCGs in London, Luton and elsewhere, and selling them on for profit locally. Through painstaking investigations and working with partners, police were able to identify a number of suspects. A number of warrants and stop checks were executed across the county, leading to the seizure of around six kilograms of cocaine and cannabis with a wholesale value of £201,000 to £240,000 and street value of £480,000 to £600,000, 868 grams of cannabis and around £157,795 cash. Multiple arrests were also made. Earlier in the operation Ilirian Allajbeu, 40, of St Marys Drive, East Preston, was sentenced to eight years’ imprisonment. Photo: Sussex Police
28. Locked up in Sussex 2024: These are some of the criminals jailed between January and April
Sussex Police said that a Peacehaven man who violently assaulted an elderly man and seriously injured a woman who tried to intervene has been jailed. Police said Gary Barney, 49, formerly of Bolney Avenue, Peacehaven, forced his way into a property in Sutton Avenue on the afternoon of July 3, 2023. Police said Barney carried out ‘a vicious, sustained attack’ on a 78-year-old man and left him with injuries to his head and body. A Sussex Police spokesperson said: “A 45-year-old woman who was in the property at the time tried to call police but was assaulted by Barney, suffering serious injuries. Barney then continued his assault on the man before leaving the scene. The victims were able to call the police and Barney was arrested within minutes of the attack. He was subsequently charged with causing grievous bodily harm with intent and attempted grievous bodily harm with intent. At Lewes Crown Court on January 12, Barney was sentenced to six years and eight months in prison after being found guilty of all charges.” Police said that Barney’s sentence included a separate conviction for an assault on a police officer on August 7, 2022. Photo: Sussex Police