Here we take a look at some of the criminals locked up during the final four months of 2025.
All of the information below comes from either Sussex Police or our reporters attending court in person.
29. Locked up in Sussex 2025: These are some of the criminals jailed between September and December
A Brighton man has been sentenced to ten years in prison after being found guilty of rape and sexual assaults against two women. Sam Soyoye, 32, of Windsor Street, Brighton, was found guilty at Lewes Crown Court on September 3 of one count of rape and three counts of sexual assault. He was remanded in custody and appeared before the same court on November 6, where he was sentenced to ten years’ imprisonment, to be served concurrently for all offences. The offences involved two women, unknown to each other, who were attacked in separate incidents after meeting Soyoye in Brighton. In June 2024, he invited a woman back to his address in the early hours, where he raped her. In September 2024, he invited another woman to his address and sexually assaulted her. Following a thorough investigation, Soyoye was arrested, charged, and later convicted after a trial. Photo: Sussex Police
30. Locked up in Sussex 2025: These are some of the criminals jailed between September and December
A man who killed a young couple at their home in Newhaven has been sentenced to life imprisonment. Derek Martin walked into Brighton Police Station on the evening of June 9, 2023 and told officers: “I’ve killed two people.” He admitted causing the deaths of Chloe and Josh Bashford, but denied murder due to diminished responsibility resulting from a depressive disorder. A jury found him guilty of two counts of murder on October 24 following a three-week trial at Lewes Crown Court, sitting at Brighton. He was remanded in custody and appeared before the same court on November 6, where he was told he must serve a minimum of 29 years’ imprisonment, reduced to 26 years, seven months and seven days, for time already served in custody. Upon sentencing, the Honourable Justice Thornton KC paid tribute to the Bashford families for their dignity throughout the investigation. She said the attacks by Martin were “driven by rage and resentment”, and that the murders of Chloe and Josh “have caused profound grief to their families”. Addressing Martin directly, she added: “It is clear that Chloe and Josh were loving, and loved. As a result of your actions, their families will suffer for the rest of their lives.” During the trial, the court was shown CCTV clips of Martin going about his normal routine before the incident occurred. This included ordering a drink at Costa in Newhaven and going for breakfast with Chloe, 30, at The Stonehouse restaurant in Peacehaven. Later they returned together to the Bashford family home in Lewes Road, Newhaven, where Chloe and Josh lived with their four children. In a police interview, Martin confessed he had been cleaning a window at the property when he “just flipped” over a row about money with Chloe. He struck her over the head with a hammer then stabbed her to death. Martin said that Josh, 33, arrived home a short while later and saw him with a knife in his hand. Josh ran upstairs but was chased by Martin, who repeatedly stabbed him then strangled him to death. Photo: Sussex Police
31. Locked up in Sussex 2025: These are some of the criminals jailed between September and December
Steven Convey has been sentenced after he pleaded guilty to committing a series of burglaries in Brighton. Between July 20 and August 2, both residential properties and businesses were targeted in St Nicholas Road, Kensington Street, Queens Place, Ditchling Road and Kings Road. During police enquiries, CCTV uncovered Convey's brazen offending, often committed during daylight hours. In one incident on July 20, Convey was found to have prowled St Nicholas Road in Brighton, trying to find an unsecured property. He entered a communal door and was confronted by a resident, before going on to fabricate a story of being at the wrong address. A short while later, a nearby property was burgled and had their car stolen. Convey was found to have been the man responsible. Four days later, Convey broke into another property and stole multiple items including a TV. He hailed down a workman who was driving along London Road, asking them if they could give him and 'his TV' a lift to his address. Of course, the TV was not his. Following police enquiries, Convey was linked to the series, and he was tracked down and arrested in London on August 4. When he was searched, a number of items were found on Convey, including jewellery stolen during recent burglaries. Convey, 35, of Hythe Road, Kent, was charged the following day with five counts of burglary and theft, one count of burglary, other than a dwelling, two counts of attempted burglary, theft of a motor vehicle, attempted theft of a motor vehicle, and for fraud by false representation. He appeared at Lewes Crown Court on September 3 where he pleaded guilty to all charges. He was remanded into custody ahead of his sentencing. At Lewes Crown Court on October 9, Convey was jailed for three years. Photo: Sussex Police
32. Locked up in Sussex 2025: These are some of the criminals jailed between September and December
A father and two sons involved in a violent attack at a pub in Worthing have been convicted in court. Derek Cook (pictured) had been drinking with his sons Matthew Cook and Jason Cook at The Smugglers Return, in Ham Road, when they became involved in a confrontation with another group of customers. The incident, which happened in the outside seating area on the evening of July 23, 2024, quickly escalated into violence. Derek, 58, attempted to punch one of the individuals, before Jason, 35, picked up an umbrella base and threw it at another. He also threw a number of glasses towards the group, which smashed on the floor. Shortly afterwards, Derek hit one of the female members of the group over the head with an umbrella pole, then jabbed it into her body, causing significant bruising. At this point, Jason shouted to his brother Matthew to ‘get the shooter’. Matthew, 36, subsequently cycled away from the pub and returned a short time later wielding a large knife, which he used to slash at the group – who were trapped in a wooden booth with no means of escape. At least three members of the group sustained wounds to their arms as they attempted to defend themselves. They were treated at the scene for their injuries, while the woman hit over the head with the pole was taken to hospital as a precaution. Matthew made off from the scene but was later arrested; Derek and Jason were both arrested outside the pub. All three were charged in connection with the incident and appeared at Lewes Crown Court on October 23 for sentencing. Derek Cook, of Chester Avenue, Worthing, pleaded guilty to affray and actual bodily harm. He was sentenced to 14 months’ imprisonment. In addition, all three defendants were issued with a restraining order which prohibits them from contacting or attempting to contact any of the victims, or attending The Smugglers Return, until further notice. Photo: Sussex Police