These are some of the most serious, high-profile and prolific offenders who were jailed in the third month of 2023.
All information comes directly from Sussex Police.
5. Locked up in Sussex: These are some of the criminals jailed in March 2023
Samuel Brown, 32 – of Stoney Lane, Shoreham – was jailed earlier in March in connection with robbing a convenience store, at The Beach Shop in Ferry Road on Halloween last year. Sussex Police said Brown ‘wrenched’ a till from the shop counter and assaulted a member of staff, who bravely fought him off. This moment is shown in dramatic CCTV footage, released by the police following the conclusion of legal proceedings. This shopkeeper was Neha Patel, who brother-in-law, Jose, chased after the robber in his van. “She quickly informed her relative, who pursued Brown and tackled him to the floor in a nearby garden,” a police spokesperson said. "He was assaulted in the process, as was an occupant of the house who came out to assist.” Charlie Kinross, the homeowner, and Jose managed to detain Brown prior to police arrival. Brown was arrested and charged with robbery and two counts of assault, police said. A police spokesperson added: “He pleaded guilty to all offences, which occurred on October 31 last year, and was sentenced to a total of 49 months’ imprisonment at Lewes Crown Court on March 1.” Photo: Sussex Police
6. Locked up in Sussex: These are some of the criminals jailed in March 2023
A convicted registered sex offender from West Sussex has been jailed for breaching the conditions of his Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO) by contacting a child, Sussex Police has confirmed. Police said Kevin Challen, 55, from Worthing, had been first convicted in March 2021 for possessing indecent images of children that were found on his computer during an investigation by police. This resulted in him receiving a suspended prison sentence of ten months, being placed on the Sex Offenders Register for 10 years and subject to specific restrictions under a SHPO, Sussex Police added. Whilst serving his suspended sentence, Challen went on to breach the conditions of the SHPO and through lies and deception, befriended and unsuspecting family and started messaging a child, police confirmed. Police said the child was brave enough to inform their parents of the extent of Challen's unlawful contact with them and this resulted in Sussex Police officers arresting Challen again. After a detailed investigation, Challen was charged with three offences of breaching his SHPO and also for failing to comply with notification requirements on the Sex Offenders Register, Sussex Police added. Police said Challen pleaded guilty to the offences and appeared at Lewes Crown Court for sentencing on Wednesday, March 15 where he received a prison sentence of 31 months and his SHPO was amended to run indefinitely. Photo: Sussex Police
7. Locked up in Sussex: These are some of the criminals jailed in March 2023
A University of Brighton employee who stole more than £2million over 30 years has been jailed, Sussex Police have said. Police said David Hall, 64, of Shepherds Way, Ringmer, appeared at Hove Crown Court on Thursday, March 16. Police said he was sentenced to six years in jail having previously pleaded guilty to ‘fraud by abuse of position, theft by an employee and false accounting’. A confiscation order is also due to be determined focused on Hall’s illicitly gained funds, police added. A police spokesperson said: “Hall used his position as the Head of Income and Payments at the university to embezzle around £2.4million and cover up his activity through fraudulent entries in the university’s accounts. The matter was reported to Sussex Police in November, 2021, after the university discovered the fraud. An independent financial investigation commissioned by the university, alongside the police investigation, uncovered a complex string of financial cover-ups by Hall which were only revealed through forensic scrutiny. During the trial Hall claimed the frauds had first started due to his own personal debts.” Photo: Sussex Police
8. Locked up in Sussex: These are some of the criminals jailed in March 2023
A 19-year-old man has been jailed for his role in dealing class A and class B drugs in Eastbourne. Police say Jay Farley, a labourer of Southbourne Road, operated in the town between June 2022-February 2023, sending out bulk advertising messages on mobile phones and arranging deals with customers. He was arrested by police on February 8 in Susans Road. Officers from Sussex Police, Surrey Police and the Metropolitan Police worked as part of a joint investigation under Operation Orochi and Operation Centurion, with the objective of disrupting county lines drug dealing in Sussex. Evidence showed Farley had agreed to supply cannabis and cocaine and following an investigation by Eastbourne CID, he was charged. At Lewes Crown Court on March 10 he admitted two counts of being concerned in the supply of drugs. Farley was sentenced to two years and two months in prison. Photo: Sussex Police