Here we take a look at some of the criminals locked up during the summer of 2024.
All of the information below comes from either Sussex Police or our reporters attending court in person.
45. Locked up in Sussex 2024: These are some of the criminals jailed between May and August
A Brighton man who assaulted a member of the public and a police officer at a demonstration in the city has been jailed. Ian Ward, 53, of Old Mill Close in Portslade, was part of a large crowd gathered in Queens Road on August 7, separated from a smaller group by a line of police officers. During the event, Ward forced himself through the line of officers and struck one of the smaller group, assaulting a female police officer in the process. Review of video footage in the days following the incident identified the offence and Ward as a suspect. He was arrested on August 11, and charged with affray, assault and assaulting a police officer. He pleaded guilty to all counts at Crawley Magistrates’ Court on August 12 and, at Lewes Crown Court on August 13, was sentenced to eight months in prison, with another eight to be spent on licence. Photo: Sussex Police
46. Locked up in Sussex 2024: These are some of the criminals jailed between May and August
An investigation into six men, involved in the distribution of cocaine between London and the Sussex coast, has now concluded. Sussex Police’s Serious Organised Crime Unit led the complex investigation, which culminated in the seizure of approximately 850g of cocaine and more than £32,000 in cash. Officers discovered that courier Naim Shala had been making regular trips from Wembley to Worthing in his Mazda between June and October 2022. He delivered the Class A drugs to an address in Pavilion Road, where Kristian Buqa took possession and prepared it for street sale. It is estimated that approximately four kilograms of cocaine were transported between the two locations for supply on the streets during the period. This is estimated to be worth between £313,600 and £392,000. Buqa would then distribute it to drivers Christian Violi and Saimir Jaho, who in turn delivered it to customers in the local area. Through enquiries, SOCU established that Fatma Hasa held the ‘Gesti’ County Line in Wembley and instructed the dealers where to distribute the illegal substances. The mobile phone he used to operate the line was also seized. All five suspects were subsequently arrested and charged as follows: Hasa, 26, of Wembley Hill Road, Wembley, was charged with conspiracy to supply cocaine and acquiring, using or possessing criminal property. At earlier hearings at the same court in August 2023, Hasa was sentenced to six years and nine months’ imprisonment. Photo: Sussex Police
47. Locked up in Sussex 2024: These are some of the criminals jailed between May and August
An investigation into six men, involved in the distribution of cocaine between London and the Sussex coast, has now concluded. Sussex Police’s Serious Organised Crime Unit led the complex investigation, which culminated in the seizure of approximately 850g of cocaine and more than £32,000 in cash. All five suspects were subsequently arrested and charged as follows: Kristian Buqa, 31, of Pavilion Road, Worthing, was charged with conspiracy to supply cocaine. At earlier hearings at the same court in August 2023, Buqa was sentenced to six years’ imprisonment. Photo: Sussex Police
48. Locked up in Sussex 2024: These are some of the criminals jailed between May and August
An investigation into six men, involved in the distribution of cocaine between London and the Sussex coast, has now concluded. Sussex Police’s Serious Organised Crime Unit led the complex investigation, which culminated in the seizure of approximately 850g of cocaine and more than £32,000 in cash. All five suspects were subsequently arrested and charged as follows: Naim Shala, 45, of Vale Close, Newport, was charged with conspiracy to supply cocaine. At earlier hearings at the same court in August 2023, Shala was sentenced to five years’ imprisonment. Photo: Sussex Police