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.
5. Locked up in Sussex: These are some of the criminals jailed in May 2026
A prolific offender has been jailed for more than three years after admitting burglary, fraud and theft offences in Hailsham. Michael Stonestreet, 38, targeted victims across the town in a series of incidents spanning several months. In one offence, Stonestreet entered an address and stole a victim’s handbag before using stolen bank cards at a nearby convenience store and garage. Following swift enquiries, officers identified him from CCTV footage at both locations. He was arrested the following morning, on February 13, and charged later that evening. At the time of his arrest, Stonestreet was already wanted in connection with a separate fraud investigation from December 2025. After a victim’s purse was found discarded in the street, enquiries identified Stonestreet carrying out a number of ATM withdrawals totalling almost £2,000 using the victim’s cards. He was subsequently charged with fraud by false representation. He was also sought in connection with the theft of nearly £2,000 cash from a vehicle in Hailsham in November 2025. CCTV enquiries identified him stealing a rucksack containing the cash from a van before running from the scene. He was charged with theft from a motor vehicle. On May 15, at Hove Crown Court, having previously admitted all three offences, Stonestreet was sentenced to three years and two months’ imprisonment. Photo: Sussex Police
6. Locked up in Sussex: These are some of the criminals jailed in May 2026
A 39-year-old woman has been jailed for 12 months for prolific shoplifting in Worthing. Karlie Everson, 39, of no fixed address, was sentenced at Crawley Magistrates’ Court on May 8. During her roughly four-month spree between November 17, 2025 and May 7, 2026, she stole over £2,200 worth of goods. Everson stole coffee, steak and other meat products, butter, cheese, washing up liquids, laundry items, often taking hundreds of pounds worth of goods at a time, including £412 worth of beauty gift sets on one occasion. She was arrested and charged on May 7 with 19 counts of theft from a shop and 19 counts of breaching a criminal behaviour order, and remanded into custody. The next day Everson appeared at Crawley Magistrates’ Court where she pleaded guilty to all offences. She was jailed for 12 months and ordered to pay £272 court costs. Photo: Sussex Police
7. Locked up in Sussex: These are some of the criminals jailed in May 2026
A drug dealer has been jailed for operating a telephone line supplying crack cocaine and heroin in Bognor. Alfie Perera was offering the class A drugs for sale using the ‘Smurf’ drugs line in the town. Officers became aware of the line operating and a warrant was completed at an address. Inside they found multiple wraps of drugs worth thousands of pounds. Perera, 20, of no fixed address, was charged with being concerned in the supply of crack cocaine, heroin and ketamine, and possession of crack cocaine and heroin with intent to supply. He admitted the five charges and at Lewes Crown Court on April 16 the court imposed a two-year and three months custodial sentence. The court was told how Perera’s offending took place with his arrest in January 2024, and that he was concerned in the supply of ketamine between October 2024 and December 2024. Then he was further involved in being concerned in the supply of crack cocaine and heroin between October last year and January this year. Photo: Sussex Police
8. Locked up in Sussex: These are some of the criminals jailed in May 2026
A drug dealer who tried to jump from a first floor window to evade arrest has been jailed. Mukhtar Abdullahi, 22, was linked to an address where suspected drugs deals were taking place in Horsham. Officers attended the address, linked to the “Kodak” drugs line, where cocaine, heroin, and cannabis were found inside. They safely detained Abdullahi and prevented his escape. At Lewes Crown Court on April 17 he appeared for sentencing after admitting being concerned in the supply of cocaine, heroin, and cannabis. Abdullahi, of no fixed address, was jailed for three years and eight months. The court was told how officers attended the address on October 22 last year in Swallowtail Road. Drugs were found inside the address, and Abdullahi was detained. Photo: Sussex Police