These are some of the most serious, high-profile and prolific offenders who were jailed in the fourth month of 2023.
All information comes directly from Sussex Police.
9. Locked up in Sussex: These are some of the criminals jailed in April 2023
A drink-driver has lost her appeal against her prison sentence for causing serious injury by dangerous driving in Fairlight, Sussex Police have said. Police said that Sarah Reese was caught on her dashboard camera claiming she was not going to drive after consuming alcohol. Footage captured by Sussex Police showed that she reversed out of her driveway in her black Seat, then drove off erratically. She ballooned a bend and hit two elderly pedestrians who were walking on the pavement on the opposite side of the road, causing injuries, one which was serious, police said. The footage then shows her driving downhill in Waites Lane where she lost control and careered into a hedge. At Lewes Crown Court on March 31, Reese, 59, formerly a local authority employee of Fyrsway, Fairlight, lost her appeal against her sentence. The incident happened shortly after 8pm on April 17 last year. Police said that Reese was sentenced in December last year after she admitted causing serious injury by dangerous driving and driving while over the prescribed limit for alcohol. She was jailed for a total of 18 months, and was disqualified from driving for a total of three years and nine months. The court ordered that she will have to take an extended re-test if she is to be allowed to get back behind the wheel. A blood test showed she had 135 milligrams (mg) of alcohol per litre of blood. The legal limit is 80mg of alcohol per litre of blood. Photo: Sussex Police
10. Locked up in Sussex: These are some of the criminals jailed in April 2023
A prolific shoplifter who targeted businesses in Eastbourne Old Town has been given a prison sentence, Sussex Police have said. Police said Adam Summerford stole items from Co-op, Sainsbury’s and The Post Office on multiple occasions from November 2022 until this January. Police said Summerford, 33, of no fixed address, was clearly identified on CCTV and could be named by staff members after every occasion. A Sussex Police spokesperson said: “He was subsequently arrested, charged with 11 counts of theft and remanded in custody. Summerford, who was already on a suspended sentence for theft, appeared before Brighton Magistrates’ Court on Monday 20 March and was sentenced to 32 weeks’ imprisonment after pleading guilty to all 11 charges at an earlier hearing. He was also ordered to pay £515 compensation.” Photo: Sussex Police
11. Locked up in Sussex: These are some of the criminals jailed in April 2023
A Sussex motorcycle rider who was involved in an incident in which another motorcyclist died has been jailed for dangerous driving, police said. Police said Aaron Barrett reached ‘dangerously high speeds’ during the incident, which happened in April last year. Witnesses saw the 32-year-old riding alongside another motorcycle rider, and the two men appeared to be ‘racing’ each other through Fox Way, Portslade, police said. One witness said: “It was crazy how fast they were going.” A Sussex Police spokesperson said: “Tragically, the other rider, a 33-year-old man of Southwick, Brighton, collided with an oncoming vehicle and was pronounced dead at the scene. Barrett was himself seriously injured, and was arrested in hospital. He was disqualified at the time of the incident and told officers while under caution that he may have reached 80mph in the 30mph zone.” Police said at Lewes Crown Court on April 17 this year, he admitted a charge of dangerous driving. He was sentenced to 22 months in prison, and was further disqualified for four years and eight months, police added. The court was told about how the incident unfolded on April 16 at about 4.30pm. Witnesses described hearing the loud noise of motorcycles revving, and then a loud bang. The two motorcycle riders were seen ‘down low, in a racing position’. One witness said Barrett’s riding ‘showed no consideration for anyone else, and no consideration that other people could be using the road’. Police said Barrett, formerly of North Road, Brighton, was still disqualified after offences committed on October 20, 2020. A blood test showed he was also over the limit for cannabis in his system, Sussex Police added. Police said he tested positive for 3 microgrammes (mcg) of Delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (the chemical breakdown of the class B drug) per litre of his blood. The legal limit is 2mcg per litre of blood. A separate inquest hearing will be held in connection with the death of the 33-year-old rider. It is listed to take place in Photo: Sussex Police
12. Locked up in Sussex: These are some of the criminals jailed in April 2023
A 69-year-old man who attempted to rob three banks in Bexhill and St Leonards has been jailed. Police said that Alan Slattery, of Hoad’s Wood Road, Hastings, passed a note over to staff at the National Building Society in St Leonards and in Bexhill and at Natwest in Bexhill demanding they give him money from the till. The note read: “'I'M NOT F****** ABOUT, JUST PASS ME THE 10'S AND 20'S NOW AND NO ONE WILL GET HURT." Police said that Slattery’s request was refused by staff and he left on foot without obtaining any money and leaving the note at all three branches. Following CCTV enquiries, Slattery was swiftly arrested and charged with three counts of attempted robbery following the incidents on Friday, February 10. Sussex Police said that he appeared before Lewes Crown Court on Wednesday, April 25 and was sentenced to 32 months imprisonment. Photo: Sussex Police