Locked up in Sussex: These are some of the criminals jailed in May 2026

By Matt Pole

Published 1st Jun 2026, 17:30 BST

Sussex’s judges, juries and magistrates were busy in May.

These are some of the most serious, high profile and prolific offenders who were jailed in the fifth month of 2026.

All information comes directly from Sussex Police.

1. Locked up in Sussex: These are some of the criminals jailed in May 2026

These are some of the most serious, high profile and prolific offenders who were jailed in the fifth month of 2026. Photo: Sussex Police

A man who murdered 58-year-old Rita Lambourne in her Bexhill home has been sentenced to life in prison with a minimum term of 31 years. Donald Excell, 50, a British national of Seabourne Road, Bexhill, was sentenced at Hove Crown Court on May 28. Rita was fatally wounded at an address in Bayencourt South on the evening of February 12, 2025, at around 9.30pm. Despite the best efforts of paramedics, she was sadly confirmed deceased at the scene. The jury heard how Excell, a cousin of Rita’s, entered her home that night and attacked her with an axe, causing fatal injuries. Using extensive CCTV footage, police were able to track Excell’s movements in the hours before and after the attack, which ultimately led to his identification and arrest. During police interviews, Excell answered “no comment” to most questions. Officers were initially unable to locate the weapon, clothing or bag used during the murder. However, on September 20, the investigation took a significant turn when some teenage boys discovered a rucksack when fishing at a lake north of Bexhill. Inside the bag they found clothing and a sheath for an axe, along with a sandbag used to weigh the bag down. Following a search of the lake, officers later discovered an axe. Subsequent financial enquiries revealed that Excell had purchased an axe and a leather axe sheath in 2019, both delivered to his home address. Expert analysis confirmed that the wounds sustained by Rita were consistent with an axe of that size. Donald Excell was arrested on February 14 and charged with murder and possession of a weapon in a public place. Following a trial at Hove Crown Court, that concluded on December 19, he was found guilty by a unanimous jury on both counts. Excell also pleaded guilty to an unrelated assault on his father at a previous hearing in August 2025. He was remanded in custody and appeared before the same court on May 28, where he was sentenced.

2. Locked up in Sussex: These are some of the criminals jailed in May 2026

A man who murdered 58-year-old Rita Lambourne in her Bexhill home has been sentenced to life in prison with a minimum term of 31 years. Donald Excell, 50, a British national of Seabourne Road, Bexhill, was sentenced at Hove Crown Court on May 28. Rita was fatally wounded at an address in Bayencourt South on the evening of February 12, 2025, at around 9.30pm. Despite the best efforts of paramedics, she was sadly confirmed deceased at the scene. The jury heard how Excell, a cousin of Rita’s, entered her home that night and attacked her with an axe, causing fatal injuries. Using extensive CCTV footage, police were able to track Excell’s movements in the hours before and after the attack, which ultimately led to his identification and arrest. During police interviews, Excell answered “no comment” to most questions. Officers were initially unable to locate the weapon, clothing or bag used during the murder. However, on September 20, the investigation took a significant turn when some teenage boys discovered a rucksack when fishing at a lake north of Bexhill. Inside the bag they found clothing and a sheath for an axe, along with a sandbag used to weigh the bag down. Following a search of the lake, officers later discovered an axe. Subsequent financial enquiries revealed that Excell had purchased an axe and a leather axe sheath in 2019, both delivered to his home address. Expert analysis confirmed that the wounds sustained by Rita were consistent with an axe of that size. Donald Excell was arrested on February 14 and charged with murder and possession of a weapon in a public place. Following a trial at Hove Crown Court, that concluded on December 19, he was found guilty by a unanimous jury on both counts. Excell also pleaded guilty to an unrelated assault on his father at a previous hearing in August 2025. He was remanded in custody and appeared before the same court on May 28, where he was sentenced. Photo: Sussex Police

Officers from the Sussex Police Specialist Enforcement Unit (SEU) were on patrol in an unmarked vehicle in Horsham Road, Crawley, on the evening of October 28 when they spotted a Volkswagen Golf undertaking other vehicles and driving at speed. It was also displaying no insurance. The Golf pulled into the Sainsbury’s car park in Crawley Avenue and officers made an attempt to engage with the driver, at which point he accelerated away. He reached speeds of 100mph in a 50mph zone, 80mph in a 30mph zone, contravened a red traffic light signal and travelled the wrong way around two roundabouts. But the SEU were in pursuit and made tactical contact with the car, bringing it to a safe stop. While the driver escaped on foot, he was swiftly identified after he left his mobile phone and a McDonald’s receipt in the car, which was corroborated by CCTV enquiries. Carlos Diago Silva, 25, unemployed, of Staplecross Court, Bewbush, was arrested and charged with driving while disqualified, dangerous driving and driving with no insurance. He pleaded guilty to all offences and at Lewes Crown Court on May 7, he was sentenced to 14 months’ imprisonment. He was also banned from driving for three-and-a-half years and must take an extended re-test should he wish to drive again, and was ordered to pay a £187 victim surcharge.

3. Locked up in Sussex: These are some of the criminals jailed in May 2026

Officers from the Sussex Police Specialist Enforcement Unit (SEU) were on patrol in an unmarked vehicle in Horsham Road, Crawley, on the evening of October 28 when they spotted a Volkswagen Golf undertaking other vehicles and driving at speed. It was also displaying no insurance. The Golf pulled into the Sainsbury’s car park in Crawley Avenue and officers made an attempt to engage with the driver, at which point he accelerated away. He reached speeds of 100mph in a 50mph zone, 80mph in a 30mph zone, contravened a red traffic light signal and travelled the wrong way around two roundabouts. But the SEU were in pursuit and made tactical contact with the car, bringing it to a safe stop. While the driver escaped on foot, he was swiftly identified after he left his mobile phone and a McDonald’s receipt in the car, which was corroborated by CCTV enquiries. Carlos Diago Silva, 25, unemployed, of Staplecross Court, Bewbush, was arrested and charged with driving while disqualified, dangerous driving and driving with no insurance. He pleaded guilty to all offences and at Lewes Crown Court on May 7, he was sentenced to 14 months’ imprisonment. He was also banned from driving for three-and-a-half years and must take an extended re-test should he wish to drive again, and was ordered to pay a £187 victim surcharge. Photo: Sussex Police

Officers have caught a serial burglar who used the rail network to target homes across Surrey and Sussex. Darren Alleyne, 44, of no fixed abode, would commute to various towns across the two counties and prowl the streets looking for insecure or empty homes where he could force open a front or back door. Once inside he would stuff high value items such as electronics or jewellery into a large shopping bag before jumping on a getaway train out of the area. He would later sell the stolen goods on for cash. Alleyne hoped to outsmart law enforcement by travelling as far afield as Woking and Horsham, Guildford, Reigate, and Merstham, and by regularly changing his mobile phone. For seven months between July 2025 to March 2026 it seemed his plan was working. However, he was unable to evade CCTV and doorbell footage, which Surrey officers were able to recover, showing him at the scene of several crimes. Officers caught him in Brighton after he travelled there by train. When he was arrested, he had already committed burglaries in the city and was found in possession of items stolen from these addresses. Alleyne was charged on March 25 with 10 burglaries and two counts of fraud by false representation. He was remanded and later pleaded guilty to all charges. On May 15 he was sentenced to six years in prison at Guildford Crown Court.

4. Locked up in Sussex: These are some of the criminals jailed in May 2026

Officers have caught a serial burglar who used the rail network to target homes across Surrey and Sussex. Darren Alleyne, 44, of no fixed abode, would commute to various towns across the two counties and prowl the streets looking for insecure or empty homes where he could force open a front or back door. Once inside he would stuff high value items such as electronics or jewellery into a large shopping bag before jumping on a getaway train out of the area. He would later sell the stolen goods on for cash. Alleyne hoped to outsmart law enforcement by travelling as far afield as Woking and Horsham, Guildford, Reigate, and Merstham, and by regularly changing his mobile phone. For seven months between July 2025 to March 2026 it seemed his plan was working. However, he was unable to evade CCTV and doorbell footage, which Surrey officers were able to recover, showing him at the scene of several crimes. Officers caught him in Brighton after he travelled there by train. When he was arrested, he had already committed burglaries in the city and was found in possession of items stolen from these addresses. Alleyne was charged on March 25 with 10 burglaries and two counts of fraud by false representation. He was remanded and later pleaded guilty to all charges. On May 15 he was sentenced to six years in prison at Guildford Crown Court. Photo: Sussex Police