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.
9. Locked up in Sussex: These are some of the criminals jailed in March 2023
A man 'in possession of a 10-inch kitchen knife' has been jailed following a robbery at a Co-op in West Sussex, Sussex Police has reported. Police said Craig Baker entered the Co-Op in Ifield Drive, Crawley in possession of a 10-inch kitchen knife and demanded that a member of staff behind the counter hand over cash. She refused and was able to activate the security alarm, Sussex Police added. In the meantime, a second member of staff became aware of what was happening and attempted to intervene, police reported.In response to this, Baker hit him in the face. He then forced his way behind the counter and stole two bottles of vodka, Sussex Police added. As he left the store, he threatened a customer whilst still holding the knife, police confirmed. Sussex Police said officers, including armed units, responded to the scene of the incident on November 13 last year and fingerprints were recovered from the till area. The prints matched those belonging to Baker, 43, of no fixed address, police added. Sussex Police said he was subsequently arrested and charged with two counts of robbery, possession of a knife in public and threatening a person with a knife in public. In an interview, police said he confessed: “I didn’t mean to do anything naughty… You guys have done the right thing getting me off the streets.” Sussex Police said Baker was remanded in custody and pleaded guilty to all offences. At Lewes Crown Court on February 10, he was sentenced to a total of 32 months’ imprisonment, police confirmed. Photo: Sussex Police
10. Locked up in Sussex: These are some of the criminals jailed in March 2023
A Brighton teenager has been jailed after making violent threats towards two women, including threatening to petrol-bomb their home. Zaine Reid, 18, of Sussex Terrace in Brighton also arrested two officers when they arrested him on December 27 last year. Between December 6 and December 22, he sent messages to two 18-year-old women, threatening to kill them, pay people to harm them, and petrol bomb their homes. Appearing at Brighton Magistrates Court, on Friday, February 24, he plead guilty to two counts of malicious communications and harassment, was found guilty of two counts of assaulting an emergency worker, and deemed not-guilty of causing actual bodily harm, with which he was also charged. he was sentenced to 24 weeks in prison suspended for 24 months for the malicious communications and harassment charges, and four weeks in prison for assaulting emergency workers on March 10. He was also given a three year restraining order Photo: Sussex Police
11. Locked up in Sussex: These are some of the criminals jailed in March 2023
A man has received a significant custodial sentence after he was caught on camera committing two robberies in a West Sussex town, Sussex Police has confirmed. Police said Michael Hooper first approached an elderly man at a cash point at Sainsbury’s in Crawley Avenue, West Green, on April 10 last year and asked him for some money. When the man refused, Hooper pushed him and snatched the cash from his hand, before running from the scene, Sussex Police added. During the second incident on May 22, he entered a newsagents in Ifield Road, West Green, and attempted to purchase a bottle of whisky, police reported. After his card was declined, he walked towards the till area but was challenged by staff, Sussex Police added. Police said he then reached over the counter and took a 70cl bottle without paying for it and ran out of the shop. Sussex Police said he returned just over an hour later, this time in possession of two Stanley knives, which he brandished towards staff behind the counter. Fearing for their safety, the staff activated the security alarm, police reported. In the meantime, Hooper again reached across the counter and this time stole two further 70cl bottles of whisky before leaving the store, Sussex Police said. Both incidents were captured on CCTV and the defendant was subsequently identified as Hooper, 43, of Leopold Road, Crawley. Police said he was arrested and charged with burglary, two counts of robbery and two counts of possession of a knife in public. Hooper pleaded guilty to all five offences and was sentenced to a total of 44 months’ imprisonment at Lewes Crown Court on February 24, Sussex Police added. Photo: Sussex Police
12. Locked up in Sussex: These are some of the criminals jailed in March 2023
A man left his victim unconscious in the street after violently attacking him, police said. Darryl Crane was jailed for carrying out the assault in Hastings. Police said he had been drinking with the victim, a 26-year-old man, at a flat in Hastings when he carried out the attack. Sussex Police said police officers later found the victim unconscious in the street outside with serious injuries. The victim was taken to hospital, with injuries including a fractured eye socket and internal bleeding in his head, as well as bruises to his body, arms and knees, police added. Police said he remembered very little of the incident apart from trying to escape from the flat, and remained in hospital for two weeks afterwards. He is still suffering as a result of his head injuries. Crane was arrested along with a youth, who cannot be identified for legal reasons, on suspicion of causing grievous bodily harm, police said. After a trial at Hove Crown Court on January 16 this year, Crane was found guilty by a jury of Section 18 Grievous Bodily Harm with intent. Police said Crane, 35, unemployed, of Halton Place, Hastings, was sentenced to nine years imprisonment and a further three years on licence. The youth, a teenage boy, was found guilty of Section 20 Grievous Bodily Harm. He was sentenced to a three-year youth rehabilitation order with a supervisory requirement, police added. The court heard how officers found the victim in the street in Priory Road, Hastings, at about 9.30pm on April 21, 2020. Photo: Google