These are some of the most serious, high-profile and prolific offenders who were jailed in the sixth month of 2023.
All information comes directly from Sussex Police.
5. Locked up in Sussex: These are some of the criminals jailed in June 2023
An East Sussex fraudster who repeatedly deceived clients to fund his lavish lifestyle has been jailed, Sussex Police have confirmed. Duncan Grant, 54, of Chillies Lane, Crowborough was sentenced at Lewes Crown Court on June 1 having pleaded guilty on May 9 to a series of fraud and directorship offences. Sussex Police said that over a period of six years, Grant orchestrated a complex and large-scale fraud operation, convincing numerous individuals to invest in his cash spoiling device company, Patronus, and in purchasing ATMs to recondition. This was a legitimate enterprise, however he invested only a fraction of the money he received into the company and did not purchase any ATMs. Of the approximate £3.8 million collected, just £549,000 was used by the company. The rest of the money was used to fund his and his wife’s lifestyle of holidays, jewellery, and luxury £1 million plus rented homes and cars, police added. Grant was charged with 18 counts of fraud and 18 counts of directorship offences in October 2021 and has now been sentenced to 12 years and six months’ imprisonment. Photo: Sussex Police
6. Locked up in Sussex: These are some of the criminals jailed in June 2023
A man has been jailed after police witnessed a drug deal outside a hotel near Gatwick Airport, Sussex Police has reported. Police said Akil Atkins drove off from officers in a hire car, and later made a false claim that he was the victim of a carjacking. Officers on foot patrol in Povey Cross Road saw a suspected drug deal taking place outside a hotel and stopped a man who was suspected of purchasing class A drugs, Sussex Police added. Police said a second man ignored officers and drove away in a BMW at high speed. The car was later abandoned in Horley, where officers found methyl amphetamine – known as crystal meth – and cannabis inside, Sussex Police added. Police said Atkins, 28, attempted to cover his tracks by making a phone call to the Metropolitan Police, claiming he had been “robbed” of his vehicle at knifepoint. But his DNA was found on a package of drugs in the car, Sussex Police added. Police said he had also left his passport, wallet, and documents confirming he had hired the car inside the vehicle. Sussex Police said Atkins, of Tipton Drive, Croydon, appeared before Lewes Crown Court on June 2, where he admitted possession of a class A drug with intent to supply, possession of a class B drug with intent to supply, being concerned in the supply of a class A drug, being concerned in the supply of a class B drug, and perverting the course of justice. The court was told that the offences took place on January 7, 2021, at a time when there were national restrictions in place for coronavirus, police added. He was sentenced to a total of two years in prison. Photo: Jon Rigby
7. Locked up in Sussex: These are some of the criminals jailed in June 2023
A man who defrauded his then-partner of £70,000 has been brought to justice following a Sussex Police investigation. Sussex Police said Andrew Camfield, 59, of Lansdowne Terrace, Eastbourne, was sentenced to a total of seven years imprisonment when he appeared at Hove Crown Court on Thursday, May 25. Police said his victim, Louise Wynne, was first introduced to Camfield by a close friend at Christmas in 2018. An intense relationship began and by February the following year Camfield had started to ask Louise for financial assistance, Sussex Police added. Police said he claimed to be due a large inheritance, but this never materialised. Sussex Police said Camfield continued to defraud her, using false promises and manipulation to exploit her financially. When her own funds ran low, she was forced to borrow money from her family to satisfy his demands, police added. A report was made to Sussex Police by Louise’s son, who first raised concerns that his mother was being defrauded by Camfield, police reported. Sussex Police said an extensive investigation ensued, led by Detective Constable Andy Mountford-Laker, culminating in Camfield being charged with fraud by false representation in June 2022. He pleaded guilty to the offence at trial on March 27, police added. Photo: Sussex Police
8. Locked up in Sussex: These are some of the criminals jailed in June 2023
A prolific shoplifter who targeted businesses across East Sussex has been jailed. Stephen Wood was sentenced to 10 months in prison for 21 separate shoplifting incidents when he appeared at court on May 23. His spate of offending also activated a suspended sentence, meaning he will serve a total of 34 months in prison. Wood had been identified as being responsible for multiple shopliftings in the district and attempts to arrest him were ongoing. A public appeal for information on his whereabouts was issued, resulting in a member of the public calling police when they found him hiding in their garden shed. Wood was arrested and charged with 21 counts of theft. This included multiple thefts from Tesco in North Street, Hailsham, and Co-op stores in Heathfield, Peacehaven, Bexhill, Horsebridge, Seaford and Newhaven. He stole items including hoovers, a television, boxes of hair straighteners and electric razors, alcohol, cigarettes, toys, and bedding. In total, he stole almost £5,000 worth of products during February, March and into April 2023. Wood, 33, and of no fixed address, pleaded guilty to all offences and was sentenced at Lewes Crown Court. Photo: Sussex Police