Here we take a look at some of the criminals locked up during the summer of 2025.
All of the information below comes from either Sussex Police or our reporters attending court in person.
5. Locked up in Sussex 2025: These are some of the criminals jailed between May and August
Brighton man Zaine Reid has been jailed for raping, abusing and controlling a woman over several months in 2024. In September last year, a woman reported being subjected to repeated violence and controlling behaviour from Reid, since February of that year. Reid, 20, of no fixed address, would control when she could see her friends and family, monitor her on cameras when he wasn’t at home, and threaten to harm himself if she tried to end contact with him. The victim disclosed being raped by Reid, and strangled to the point of fearing that he was going to kill her. When the victim cut contact with Reid, he logged into, and deleted, all of her social media accounts. Officers supported the victim and put safeguarding measures in place while Reid was arrested and charged with rape, intentional strangulation, coercive and controlling behaviour and causing actual bodily harm. While remanded in custody awaiting trial, he contacted the victim again from prison and attempted to threaten her into dropping her support for the investigation. He was further charged with intimidating a witness. At Brighton Crown Court on March 18, Reid was convicted of all charges and remanded in custody. At the same court on May 16, Reid was jailed for seven years. Photo: Sussex Police
6. Locked up in Sussex 2025: These are some of the criminals jailed between May and August
A quick-thinking police officer hitched a ride in a street cleaner to catch a violent offender. Peter Lock has been jailed after he assaulted a woman in Bognor Regis High Street on February 26, 2023. He made off from the scene on his bike but was spotted by council workers who pointed him out to responding officers. The officer initially pursued on foot, but then used his initiative to flag down a street cleaning vehicle to catch up with the defendant. He was swiftly detained and arrested. In the meantime, the 48-year-old victim was taken to hospital, where she was treated for multiple hand and facial injuries. Peter Lock, 51, of Linden Road, Bognor Regis, appeared at Lewes Crown Court on May 7. He pleaded guilty to actual bodily harm and was sentenced to 18 months in custody. Photo: Sussex Police
7. Locked up in Sussex 2025: These are some of the criminals jailed between May and August
Two men involved in the cultivation of hundreds of cannabis plants have been jailed as part of a national operational targeting organised crime groups. On February 19, officers carried out a warrant at an industrial property in Maple Road, Eastbourne, based on intelligence linking it to drug production. Inside were around 500 cannabis plants spread across multiple rooms, as well as living quarters that appeared to have been regularly used. Officers also found Eljohn Majika (left) and Klevis Kurti (right), both 22 and of no fixed address. The pair were arrested on suspicion of cultivating cannabis plants and subsequently charged. They pleaded guilty to the offences at Brighton Magistrates’ Court on February 20 and were remanded in custody to await sentencing. At Lewes Crown Court on May 16, they were both sentenced to 14 months in prison. Mojika and Kurti’s arrests were part of a wider operation at the beginning of the year targeting organised crime groups suspect of involvement in drug supply and wider exploitation. Sussex officers joined national and regional partners to carry out warrants at 19 addresses across the county, acting on intelligence developed over months of investigation. In total, 17 people were arrested and 1,740 cannabis plants were seized, with an estimated value of £1,740,000. More than £15,000 cash was also seized, as well as quantities of Class A drugs and £2,000 of criminal property. Photo: Sussex Police
8. Locked up in Sussex 2025: These are some of the criminals jailed between May and August
An arsonist who repeatedly abused his ex-partner and destroyed her house – killing her beloved dog – has been jailed. Adrian West subjected Louise Simpson to a series of violent attacks throughout 2024, including strangling her, punching her to the face and kicking her leg. Their relationship broke down and the victim asked West to leave her property in Creasys Drive, Crawley, on September 13 that year. But the 61-year-old returned later that day and smashed her doorbell camera using a rock. He was arrested and spent the night in custody, and was released without charge as the victim did not wish to sign a statement at the time. However the following day, he returned again. On this occasion, he intentionally set fire to the address while Louise and her dog were inside. She managed to escape without significant harm with the help of her neighbours. But despite her best efforts, her three-year-old British bulldog Peggy tragically died in the blaze. Bodyworn footage from firefighters who responded to the scene shows the devastation caused by the fire. West, of no fixed address, was subsequently arrested and charged with arson with intent, criminal damage, non-fatal strangulation, common assault and two counts of actual bodily harm. He pleaded guilty to all offences and was sentenced to a total of six years and three months’ imprisonment when he appeared before Lewes Crown Court on May 2. Photo: Sussex Police