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.
9. Locked up in Sussex: These are some of the criminals jailed in January 2026
A fraudster who fabricated a story to gain money from a café has been sentenced. Ian McEnroe, 62, entered a café in Terminus Road, Eastbourne, and sought to make a claim for compensation. He told staff that his granddaughter had cut her lip on a milkshake cup, causing blood to spill over his car. But the story was a lie, and the staff member recalled that no milkshakes had been served the previous day. McEnroe was identified from CCTV of the incident when he was in custody, and was charged with fraud by false representation. At Brighton Magistrates’ Court on January 15 he was found guilty of the charge after a trial. The court was told how McEnroe entered the café at 7pm on June 19, 2024, claiming his granddaughter had entered the previous day to order a milkshake. He claimed £80 for a car valet service for spilt blood caused from the milkshake cup. But a staff remember recalled that no milkshakes had been served. It was revealed that McEnroe, of Staplefield Drive, Brighton, has 38 previous convictions for 192 offences, more than 150 of which are for similar fraud claims against businesses. McEnroe was sentenced to 26 weeks in prison, and the court also imposed a new Criminal Behaviour Order (CBO) to last for five years. The CBO states that McEnroe must not make a refund or compensation claim from any retail or food premises in Sussex. He must report any incidents to police within 24 hours, and he is obliged to make a declaration to any food or retail premises, in writing, that he has been convicted for previous fraudulent refund and compensation requests. Photo: Sussex Police
10. Locked up in Sussex: These are some of the criminals jailed in January 2026
A man from Crawley has been jailed for sexually assaulting a teenage boy and possessing child abuse material. Michael Simmonds, 37, of no fixed abode, came to the attention of police after a teenage boy reported that he had been sexually assaulted in woodland in June 2025. The victim reported the incident immediately, allowing officers to quickly locate and arrest Simmonds. Following his arrest, Simmonds’ mobile phone was seized and examined. Investigators found he was in possession of child abuse material, including Category A and B images. Simmonds was charged with sexual assault on June 30, 2025. He was initially released on bail, during which time specialist officers obtained a Sexual Risk Order (SRO). The order imposed strict conditions on his use of technology and required him to be managed by an offender manager. Shortly after the Sexual Risk Order was imposed, Simmonds breached the order by downloading and using apps and websites without permission. On October 27, 2025 he was charged for breaching the SRO and taking indecent photographs of children. He then went on to breach his court bail, resulting in him being remanded into custody. Simmonds appeared at Crawley Magistrates court and pleaded guilty to all offences on November 18, 2025. On January 19, Simmonds appeared at Lewes Crown Court where he was sentenced to a total of three years and two months in prison. He was also made subject to a Sexual Harm Prevention Order imposed for ten years. Photo: Sussex Police
11. Locked up in Sussex: These are some of the criminals jailed in January 2026
A prolific shoplifter has been jailed after he admitted his latest series of offences in Crawley. Ben Gladman, 37, was the subject of a Criminal Behaviour Order, not to enter the town centre or major retailers including TK Maxx, Tesco and Co-op. But when he was seen in breach of the order by a PCSO on duty, he ran away then assaulted the PCSO before being arrested. At Crawley Magistrates’ Court on January 14 he admitted two breaches of a criminal behaviour order (CBO), assaulting an emergency worker, and five shop thefts. The court was told how the shop thefts occurred between July 2025 and January 5 this year. On July 18 he stole drinks from Greggs worth £55, and then on July 31 he stole cheese strings, energy drinks, and Dairylea dunkers worth £9 from the co-op in Langley Green. Then on August 15 he committed two thefts at the same Co-op, taking energy drinks, coffee jars and a soft drink, then later returning to steal laundry products worth a total of £101. He was convicted in November for offences including shop thefts, and a CBO was imposed banning him from Crawley town centre and from Tesco stores. On January 5 he breached the order when he entered Tesco Express in Ifield, stealing chocolates and sweets worth £85. Gladman was seen in Crawley town centre on January 13, where he ran away from a PCSO. The PCSO caught up with him, and Gladman assaulted him before officers arrived to arrest him. Gladman, of no fixed address, was jailed for six months. Photo: Sussex Police
12. Locked up in Sussex: These are some of the criminals jailed in January 2026
A domestic abuser who tried to suffocate a woman in Worthing has been sentenced. Enzo Giarratano assaulted the victim, a woman known to him, as she tried to escape. The 54-year-old prevented the victim from leaving the address. He put his hands over her mouth and nose, leaving her in fear for her life. She said she was terrified by the assaults and that the incident continues to have a long-lasting impact. At Lewes Crown Court on January 16, Giarratano appeared for sentencing after admitting two counts of intentional suffocation. The court was told how the incident happened on January 18, 2023 at an address in Worthing. The morning after a dispute, Giarratano assaulted the victim. She cried out for help and tried to escape the address, but Giarratano pulled her back into the property. He only stopped after a neighbour came to the front door and challenged him. Giarratano, of North End Road, West Kensington, was jailed for two years. Photo: Sussex Police