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.
49. 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: Christian Violi, 34, of Albany Road, Southsea, was charged with conspiracy to supply cocaine. A sixth defendant – Xhonatan Matei, 38, of Shortcrofts Road, Dagenham (pictured) – was also identified in connection with the ‘Gesti’ line, after he was stopped in his Mercedes on the A24 at Findon in April 2023. He had travelled from London with the intention of re-stocking the group following the seizures. He was arrested and charged with being concerned in the supply of cocaine and possession of cocaine. The case concluded following the conviction of Violi, who was sentenced to two years’ imprisonment – suspended for two years – and ordered to carry out 180 hours of unpaid work, at Lewes Crown Court on July 19 this year. In September 2023, Matei was sentenced to three years’ imprisonment. Photo: Sussex Police
50. Locked up in Sussex 2024: These are some of the criminals jailed between May and August
Two students involved in the mass importation of cannabis into Brighton have been jailed. Yu Tang (left) and Jiangpeng Wei (right) were caught after detectives discovered they frequently collected packages not addressed to them from shared student accommodation across the city. When searched, the cardboard boxes were found to contain large quantities of herbal cannabis which had been double vacuum packed and concealed with other innocuous items, such as T-shirts. Enquiries revealed they had been imported from the USA and Canada, and they contained recipient details linking them back to the 26-year-old defendants. Since the investigation commenced in September 2023, more than 40 parcels were intercepted or seized from the defendants’ addresses by officers, with the total quantity of cannabis exceeding 40kg. Around £3,500 in cash was also seized. Tang, of Fleet Street, Brighton, and Wei, of Kingscote Way, Brighton, were subsequently both arrested and charged with importing cannabis, and acquiring, using or possessing criminal property. They pleaded guilty to the offences, and at Lewes Crown Court on August 14, Tang was sentenced to three years and nine months’ imprisonment; Wei was sentenced to one year and six weeks’ imprisonment. The offence of being concerned in the supply of cannabis was ordered to lie on file for both defendants. Photo: Sussex Police
51. Locked up in Sussex 2024: These are some of the criminals jailed between May and August
A prolific shoplifter who targeted stores across Crawley and breached multiple behavioural orders has been jailed. Damien O’Hare, 48, of no fixed address, was charged with 26 counts of shoplifting, 22 counts of breaching a Criminal Behaviour Order and one count of using insulting/threatening language. The offences were all committed between March and June 2024, predominantly targeted at a Co-op in Dorsten Square, Bewbush, as well as a number of other stores. O’Hare would brazenly enter the store, take goods from shelves and leave without paying in full view of staff. On some occasions he was challenged, and threatened to violently assault a female member of staff. He targeted some stores multiple times on the same day, and each theft from the Co-op was in breach of an existing Criminal Behaviour Order banning him from entering any Co-op store in Sussex. O’Hare pleaded guilty to all charges at Crawley Magistrates’ Court on June 10. He was sentenced to three years and three months in prison at Lewes Crown Court on August 14. Photo: Sussex Police
52. Locked up in Sussex 2024: These are some of the criminals jailed between May and August
A 42-year-old-man has been jailed for 12 years following three robberies at chemists in East Sussex. On May 9, 2022, Michael Youssefi, 42, of Seven Acre Close in St Leonards, entered the Day Lewis Pharmacy in Mount Pleasant Road, Hastings, with his face covered, and threatened a pharmacist with a large kitchen knife and told her to give him Oxycontin. In response to the threat of violence, Youssefi was given the controlled drug and then he quickly left the pharmacy. Officers attended and found blood at the scene, which was sent off for forensic testing. Three days later, on May 12, Youssefi was arrested on suspicion of armed robbery after his description matched witness accounts. He denied involvement and was bailed while other enquiries were undertaken. Youssefi was charged with robbery and possession of a knife in a public place on February 28, 2024, after the blood left at the scene was linked to him, and all other enquiries had been completed. On April 24 at Lewes Crown Court, Youssefi pleaded guilty to the offences. He was then bailed from court to await his sentencing. While on bail, Youssefi committed a robbery and an attempted robbery on April 27. The first took place at around 9am when he entered Boots in Eastbourne Road, Pevensey, and forced his way into the dispensing area while armed with a knife. Unable to find what he wanted and with witnesses attempting to intervene, Youssefi ran from the premises. Later that day, at around 4.30pm, Youssefi entered Kamsons Pharmacy in Victoria drive, Eastbourne, and demanded Oxycodone. Staff initially refused the demand and were met with Youssefi threatening, "Do you want a knife?". He was then given a box of the tablets and left the pharmacy. Despite being masked during the robberies, Youssefi was linked to the crimes and attempts were made to arrest him. On April 28, Youssefi was arrested in his car in Hastings and taken to custody. Photo: Sussex Police