Locked up in Sussex: These are some of the criminals jailed in January 2026

By Matt Pole

Published 2nd Feb 2026, 18:07 BST

Sussex’s judges, juries and magistrates were busy in January.

These are some of the most serious, high profile and prolific offenders who were jailed in the first month of 2026.

All information comes directly from Sussex Police.

1. Locked up in Sussex: These are some of the criminals jailed in January 2026

These are some of the most serious, high profile and prolific offenders who were jailed in Sussex in the first month of 2026. Photo: Sussex Police

A man who threatened a woman with a knife and falsely imprisoned her has been jailed. Atul Rabbani-Brooker, 26, targeted the victim with a campaign of abuse, threats and violence in East Sussex. The domestic abuser made threats to kill her, and carried out assaults and criminal damage. The offences left the victim feeling “petrified” and in fear for her life after he threatened to stab her. “I genuinely thought I was going to die that night,” she said. The victim approached police, and officers ensured she was safeguarded and supported while the offences were investigated. Phone evidence showed Rabbani-Brooker’s threats and violence towards her. At Lewes Crown Court on December 10, Rabbani-Brooker appeared for sentencing after admitting two counts of assault occasioning actual bodily harm, false imprisonment, threatening a person with an offensive weapon in a private place, and two counts of criminal damage. He was jailed for three-and-a-half years for the offences. The court heard how the offences were committed in March 2025, and the victim approached Sussex Police in April 2025 as she was concerned by Rabbani-Brooker’s decline. After the final incident on March 20, he threatened to stab and kill the victim. The victim said: “I have never felt as vulnerable as I did that night. I feared for my life, I was petrified.” She described the ongoing impact the offences continue to have, which have caused her “severe anxiety and trauma” and said she felt broken because of Rabbani-Brooker’s violence and abuse.

2. Locked up in Sussex: These are some of the criminals jailed in January 2026

A man who threatened a woman with a knife and falsely imprisoned her has been jailed. Atul Rabbani-Brooker, 26, targeted the victim with a campaign of abuse, threats and violence in East Sussex. The domestic abuser made threats to kill her, and carried out assaults and criminal damage. The offences left the victim feeling “petrified” and in fear for her life after he threatened to stab her. “I genuinely thought I was going to die that night,” she said. The victim approached police, and officers ensured she was safeguarded and supported while the offences were investigated. Phone evidence showed Rabbani-Brooker’s threats and violence towards her. At Lewes Crown Court on December 10, Rabbani-Brooker appeared for sentencing after admitting two counts of assault occasioning actual bodily harm, false imprisonment, threatening a person with an offensive weapon in a private place, and two counts of criminal damage. He was jailed for three-and-a-half years for the offences. The court heard how the offences were committed in March 2025, and the victim approached Sussex Police in April 2025 as she was concerned by Rabbani-Brooker’s decline. After the final incident on March 20, he threatened to stab and kill the victim. The victim said: “I have never felt as vulnerable as I did that night. I feared for my life, I was petrified.” She described the ongoing impact the offences continue to have, which have caused her “severe anxiety and trauma” and said she felt broken because of Rabbani-Brooker’s violence and abuse. Photo: Sussex Police

An abusive man has been jailed for drunk and disorderly behaviour in Bognor. Martin Cox was seen staggering in traffic in Station Road on December 22. The 60-year-old had abused members of the public and was abusive towards officers. It was less than a month after he received a suspended prison sentence for similar behaviour. At Crawley Magistrates’ Court on December 24 he admitted two counts of drunk and disorderly behaviour, two counts of causing racially or homophobic aggravated harassment, assault by beating of an emergency worker, and using threatening or abusive words and behaviour. The court was told how Cox used racist and homophobic slurs, and when officers tried to speak with him he continued to shout abuse. He spat at a police officer, and his behaviour was in full view of the public including children in the town centre. Cox, of no fixed address, was previously convicted of racially aggravated harassment, assaulting an emergency worker and possession of a bladed article in public in court on November 28 and was given a suspended sentence. He has 51 convictions for 116 previous offences. Appearing before Crawley Magistrates on December 24, the court activated the 16-week suspended prison sentence, and he was sentenced to a further 16 weeks in prison for the new offences, taking the total sentence to 32 weeks.

3. Locked up in Sussex: These are some of the criminals jailed in January 2026

An abusive man has been jailed for drunk and disorderly behaviour in Bognor. Martin Cox was seen staggering in traffic in Station Road on December 22. The 60-year-old had abused members of the public and was abusive towards officers. It was less than a month after he received a suspended prison sentence for similar behaviour. At Crawley Magistrates’ Court on December 24 he admitted two counts of drunk and disorderly behaviour, two counts of causing racially or homophobic aggravated harassment, assault by beating of an emergency worker, and using threatening or abusive words and behaviour. The court was told how Cox used racist and homophobic slurs, and when officers tried to speak with him he continued to shout abuse. He spat at a police officer, and his behaviour was in full view of the public including children in the town centre. Cox, of no fixed address, was previously convicted of racially aggravated harassment, assaulting an emergency worker and possession of a bladed article in public in court on November 28 and was given a suspended sentence. He has 51 convictions for 116 previous offences. Appearing before Crawley Magistrates on December 24, the court activated the 16-week suspended prison sentence, and he was sentenced to a further 16 weeks in prison for the new offences, taking the total sentence to 32 weeks. Photo: Sussex Police

A man from Eastbourne has been jailed for 32 years after a knife attack that left another man with serious injuries. Emergency services were called to Hazelwood Avenue, Eastbourne, at around 1.25pm on February 9, following reports that a man had suffered multiple stab wounds. Officers arrived to find a 57-year-old man with serious injuries to his head, neck and torso. He was taken to hospital for urgent treatment. The court heard how the victim was attacked outside his own home following an ongoing dispute with the defendant. David Clarke, 59, from Eastbourne, was arrested shortly afterwards, after being spotted by officers driving erratically. He was subsequently charged with attempted murder, possession of a bladed article and dangerous driving. Following a trial at Hove Crown Court which concluded on August 1, Clarke was found guilty of attempted murder. He was remanded in custody ahead of sentencing. On January 8, Clarke appeared at Hove Crown Court where he was sentenced to 32 years in prison.

4. Locked up in Sussex: These are some of the criminals jailed in January 2026

A man from Eastbourne has been jailed for 32 years after a knife attack that left another man with serious injuries. Emergency services were called to Hazelwood Avenue, Eastbourne, at around 1.25pm on February 9, following reports that a man had suffered multiple stab wounds. Officers arrived to find a 57-year-old man with serious injuries to his head, neck and torso. He was taken to hospital for urgent treatment. The court heard how the victim was attacked outside his own home following an ongoing dispute with the defendant. David Clarke, 59, from Eastbourne, was arrested shortly afterwards, after being spotted by officers driving erratically. He was subsequently charged with attempted murder, possession of a bladed article and dangerous driving. Following a trial at Hove Crown Court which concluded on August 1, Clarke was found guilty of attempted murder. He was remanded in custody ahead of sentencing. On January 8, Clarke appeared at Hove Crown Court where he was sentenced to 32 years in prison. Photo: Sussex Police