These are some of the most serious, high profile and prolific offenders who were jailed in the sixth month of 2026.
All information comes directly from Sussex Police.
9. Locked up in Sussex: These are some of the criminals jailed in June 2026
A 28-year-old man has been jailed for for sex offences, involving a child, in West Sussex. Aiden Freeman – of White Star Close, Godalming, Surrey – ‘pleaded not guilty’ to five counts of sexual offences on a girl under 13, which occurred more than ten years ago, according to the police. Police said Freeman, during an interview, ‘claimed the victim was making up her accusations for attention’. The victim was supported by specially trained officers. On March 30, at Lewes Crown Court, Freeman was convicted of two counts of assault of a girl under 13 by penetration, and three counts of rape of a girl under 13, police said. At the same court on June 4, he was sentenced to seven years and six months in prison, police said. Photo: Sussex Police
10. Locked up in Sussex: These are some of the criminals jailed in June 2026
A rapist who threatened a woman at knifepoint in Brighton has been jailed. Philip Smith, aged 29, raped the woman late at night in central Brighton. The victim, who cannot be identified for legal reasons and has a right to anonymity, contacted a friend nearby to call the police. The friend attended the scene and disturbed Smith, who fled. Police officers on patrol found Smith, who matched the description received, and he was found in possession of two knives in Quadrophenia Alley in Little East Street. He was also in possession of class A drugs. Following a trial, he was convicted of two counts of rape. At Hove Crown Court on June 25, Smith, of no fixed address, was jailed for 13 years. The court was told how Smith was already on court bail awaiting sentencing for a sexual assault on a woman in Brighton on August 5, 2025. Then at about 3.30am on August 9 he approached the victim, a woman in her 30s, in Bartholomew Square and threatened her with a knife in order to rape her. After he was arrested, Smith exposed himself to two women inside Brighton Custody Centre. He was subsequently charged with two counts of rape, two counts of indecent exposure and one count each of being in possession of a Class A drug, and possession of a bladed article in a public place. He was remanded in custody. Photo: Sussex Police
11. Locked up in Sussex: These are some of the criminals jailed in June 2026
A man has been jailed for more than 11 years, after raping a woman in a Worthing car park – and then trying to leave the country. Sussex Police said 27-year-old Suleman Mukaish, ‘targeted the vulnerable victim’ in Lyndhurst Road. "The victim, who cannot be identified for legal reasons, received support from specially-trained officers,” a police statement, after sentencing, read. "She reported the offence to a member of the public who then called police. "Mukaish was arrested at London Gatwick Airport two days after the offence having booked a one-way ticket to leave the country. He was subsequently charged with rape, which he admitted in court on April 13." Mukaish, of Cambridge Road, Worthing, appeared for sentence at Lewes Crown Court on June 15, where he was jailed for 11 years and three months, police confirmed. Police said Mukaish is a Pakistani national, who was studying in the UK. They added: "The court was told how the incident happened at about 7.30pm on March 11 this year. The victim was found by a witness returning to their vehicle, and informed the witness she had been raped." Police launched an investigation and witnesses came forward to report vital information. The statement continued: "Detectives were able to piece together CCTV footage which showed Mukaish grabbing the victim and taking her to the car park, where she was raped. They also found a fingerprint and handprint matching Mukaish on a car at the scene of the crime." Photo: Sussex Police
12. Locked up in Sussex: These are some of the criminals jailed in June 2026
A former Seaford teacher has been jailed for 26 years for committing sexual offences against children. David James Clarke, 82, was previously found guilty at Lewes Crown Court of more than 40 counts of child sexual abuse. The Sussex Police investigation uncovered that while Clarke was an RE teacher at Newlands School, Seaford, he committed 38 counts of indecent assault and five offences of gross indecency with a child, and one offence of buggery. He was also convicted of one count of making indecent images of children. When Clarke was arrested, the police discovered indecent images of children on his desk top computer. Photo: Sussex Police