These are some of the most serious, high-profile and prolific offenders who were jailed in the seventh month of 2025.
All information comes directly from Sussex Police.
9. Locked up in Sussex: These are some of the criminals jailed in July 2025
Karl Williams, 41, was arrested on July 13, following a shop theft. When he appeared before Brighton Magistrates’ Court the following day, he was charged with 11 additional offences, as well as being sentenced for previous thefts and breaches of bail conditions. Williams, of Stonehouse Drive Hastings, was jailed for 16 weeks after pleading guilty to a string of thefts from local retailers. The case formed part of Operation Apprentice – a Sussex Police initiative in partnership with local business crime reduction groups across the county. The operation targets the most prolific shoplifters in each district and co-ordinates efforts to bring them to justice. A Criminal Behaviour Order (CBO) was sought and granted by the court. The CBO includes conditions designed to prevent further offending, stating that Williams must not: remain on any retail premises within the county of Sussex after being asked to leave by the owner, any member of staff employed by that premises, or any security staff operating at that premises; not to enter any Co-Operative, Sainsbury, Tesco or Poundland stores; not to enter any retail premises with any face coverings. Photo: Sussex Police
10. Locked up in Sussex: These are some of the criminals jailed in July 2025
Following two betting shop robberies in Brighton and Hove, a man has been jailed. Brandon Wells, 34, of no fixed address, entered a betting shop in George Street, Hove, on the evening of May 18. He took a seat and waited for the shop to empty before running towards the counter at around 6.30pm and jumping onto it. He demanded money from the staff member on duty, threatening violence if they did not comply, before managing to escape with some of the takings. The following evening, at a similar time, Wells entered another betting shop in Queens Road, Brighton. Again, he waited for the premises to be empty, and then approached a staff member from behind, grabbed her by the collar and demanded money. He then pushed her through the shop while continuing to issue threats before stealing some of the takings and fleeing. Wells was arrested on May 20 in a betting shop in Dyke Road, Hove, wearing clothing that matched CCTV footage from the Queens Road incident. Officers took him into custody where he admitted committing the offences during interview, and charges were authorised that evening. Wells appeared at Brighton Magistrates’ Court the following day and he was remanded in custody ahead of his next hearing. On June 26 at Lewes Crown Court, Wells pleaded guilty to both charges, and he was sentenced the same day to three years behind bars. Photo: Sussex Police
11. Locked up in Sussex: These are some of the criminals jailed in July 2025
A serial burglar has been jailed following commercial break-ins in Brighton. James Jackson, 38, of no fixed address, began his series on February 8 when he smashed his way into a restaurant in Ship Street. Despite nothing being reported stolen from the property, a disorganised search had clearly taken place, and extensive damage was caused. Just five days later he forced his way into a bakery in North Road, and stole two electronic tablets and high value produce. Next, on March 17, Jackson broke into a jewellery shop in Dukes Lane, and managed to make off with a large quantity of pieces, totalling nearly £100,000. In a fourth incident on April 1, a bar in Western Road was targeted by Jackson when a glass panel on the door was smashed. An electronic tablet and money was stolen from the premises. Following a series of enquiries, Jackson was arrested on April 10, however further evidence was needed in order to secure charges, and so he was conditionally bailed. Jackson was rearrested and charged with all four offences just a couple of days later, and then appeared at Brighton Magistrates' Court on April 14 where he was remanded into custody. With mounting evidence against him, Jackson pleaded guilty to two burglary charges, however continued to deny his involvement in both the Western Road and Dukes Lane burglaries. He went on trial on June 24 at Chichester Crown Court and was found guilty of committing both burglaries. On June 27, Jackson was sentenced to three years in prison. Photo: Sussex Police
12. Locked up in Sussex: These are some of the criminals jailed in July 2025
Chichester man George de Bathe has been jailed for abusing and controlling five women, including multiple rapes. Between 2015 and 2019, de Bathe, 25, of North Mead in Chichester, subjected the victims to a catalogue of physical, sexual and psychological violence. All of the victims are now women in their 20s, but were in their mid-to-late teens at the time of the offending. De Bathe sought to control their actions during separate relationships, from who they could see and when, to the clothes they could wear. He would use violence and threats to exert control over them, including threats with a knife and assaults so severe they would lose consciousness. Some victims were stopped from going to work, had their movements tracked through their mobile phones and locked in his car while he drove dangerously. Four of the victims reported being raped or sexually assaulted by him, some on multiple occasions. In April, 2018, one of the victims reported to Sussex Police she had been abused by de Bathe over a period of several months. She also contacted multiple women connected with de Bathe, to warn them of his behaviour and see if they had had similar experiences. De Bathe was arrested and bailed under strict conditions while evidence was gathered. Police made contact with the other women named by the initial victim and, over the course of the investigation, four additional victims were identified. In January, 2024, following a complex investigation, de Bathe was charged with six counts of rape, eight counts of actual bodily harm, five counts of coercive and controlling behaviour, two counts of sexual assault, two counts of false imprisonment and one count of making threats to kill. On April 29, following a trial at Portsmouth Crown Court, de Bathe was found guilty of all charges except one count of actual bodily harm, of which he was found not guilty. He was remanded in custody. At the same court on July 11, he was sentenced to 22 years in prison, with 17 to be spent in custody. Photo: Sussex Police