Locked up in Sussex: These are some of the criminals jailed in October 2023

Published 1st Nov 2023, 11:44 GMT

Updated 1st Nov 2023, 11:46 GMT

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

These are some of the most serious, high-profile and prolific offenders who were jailed in the tenth month of 2023.

All information comes directly from Sussex Police.

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

. Locked up in Sussex: These are some of the criminals jailed in October 2023

Sussex’s judges, juries and magistrates were busy in October. Photo: Sussex Police

A construction worker from Bexhill, who raped a young child has been jailed for more than 30 years, police said. Bradley Martin, 29, of Chandler Road, Bexhill, raped his victim multiple times, police said. Police said they were made aware after the child’s mother took them to hospital for examination after finding unexplained injuries. Hospital staff in Hastings raised concerns to Sussex Police and an investigation was launched. Police said Martin was arrested on October 26 last year and his phone revealed incriminating searches including, ‘How do police know if something has been penetrated?’ and ‘How many years for sex offenders in Bexhill?’. Officers also found 127 illegal images of extreme pornography involving both animals and humans, police added. He was charged with three counts of rape of a child under 13 and remanded in custody. Police said he pleaded not guilty to all charges, but at Hove Crown Court on Monday, July 3, was found guilty of each of the offences. At Hove Crown Court on September 29, Martin was sentenced to 23 years in prison, with another eight to be spent on extended licence, police said. He will be on the Sex Offenders’ Register for life and was given an indefinite Sexual Harm Prevention Order significantly restricting his access to children and digital devices, police added.

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A construction worker from Bexhill, who raped a young child has been jailed for more than 30 years, police said. Bradley Martin, 29, of Chandler Road, Bexhill, raped his victim multiple times, police said. Police said they were made aware after the child’s mother took them to hospital for examination after finding unexplained injuries. Hospital staff in Hastings raised concerns to Sussex Police and an investigation was launched. Police said Martin was arrested on October 26 last year and his phone revealed incriminating searches including, ‘How do police know if something has been penetrated?’ and ‘How many years for sex offenders in Bexhill?’. Officers also found 127 illegal images of extreme pornography involving both animals and humans, police added. He was charged with three counts of rape of a child under 13 and remanded in custody. Police said he pleaded not guilty to all charges, but at Hove Crown Court on Monday, July 3, was found guilty of each of the offences. At Hove Crown Court on September 29, Martin was sentenced to 23 years in prison, with another eight to be spent on extended licence, police said. He will be on the Sex Offenders’ Register for life and was given an indefinite Sexual Harm Prevention Order significantly restricting his access to children and digital devices, police added. Photo: Sussex Police

A man has been jailed for assaulting an ambulance worker while intoxicated with alcohol in Eastbourne. Jose Luis Serro Alexandre was found unconscious in a premises in Terminus Road, Eastbourne. An ambulance was sent and staff from the South East Coast Ambulance Service (SECAmb) took him into the ambulance. But after waking up and at first being calm and co-operative, Alexandre turned aggressive and insulting to the two crew members. The 49-year-old confronted one of the ambulance workers and assaulted him outside the vehicle. The ambulance worker was fortunately not seriously injured but required time off work due to pain and the stress caused. At Lewes Crown Court on September 15, Alexandre admitted assaulting an emergency worker, and was jailed for a total of eight months. The court was told how the incident happened at about 9pm on May 17 this year. Alexandre, unemployed of Pevensey Road, Eastbourne, jumped up out of the ambulance and was then seen kicking the victim. The victim pressed an alert button for ambulance colleagues, and police arrived soon after and arrested Alexandre.

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A man has been jailed for assaulting an ambulance worker while intoxicated with alcohol in Eastbourne. Jose Luis Serro Alexandre was found unconscious in a premises in Terminus Road, Eastbourne. An ambulance was sent and staff from the South East Coast Ambulance Service (SECAmb) took him into the ambulance. But after waking up and at first being calm and co-operative, Alexandre turned aggressive and insulting to the two crew members. The 49-year-old confronted one of the ambulance workers and assaulted him outside the vehicle. The ambulance worker was fortunately not seriously injured but required time off work due to pain and the stress caused. At Lewes Crown Court on September 15, Alexandre admitted assaulting an emergency worker, and was jailed for a total of eight months. The court was told how the incident happened at about 9pm on May 17 this year. Alexandre, unemployed of Pevensey Road, Eastbourne, jumped up out of the ambulance and was then seen kicking the victim. The victim pressed an alert button for ambulance colleagues, and police arrived soon after and arrested Alexandre. Photo: Sussex Police

A shoplifter who repeatedly stole items from a Co-op store was identified, arrested, and has been sentenced in court. Phillip Walker targeted the store in Blatchington Road, Hove, during a two-month spree this summer. The 39-year-old regularly stole alcohol and other items from the shop without paying for them. In total he stole goods worth more than £1,800 during 30 recorded incidents between July and September this year. But following an investigation by the store and Sussex Police’s Business Crime Team, he was identified and made a priority for arrest. Walker was arrested and charged with 30 shop theft offences on September 28. At Brighton Magistrates’ Court on September 29, Walker, of no fixed address, admitted all the charges and was jailed for a total of six months. The court was told how the first offence was committed on July 7, and the last offence was recorded on September 16.

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A shoplifter who repeatedly stole items from a Co-op store was identified, arrested, and has been sentenced in court. Phillip Walker targeted the store in Blatchington Road, Hove, during a two-month spree this summer. The 39-year-old regularly stole alcohol and other items from the shop without paying for them. In total he stole goods worth more than £1,800 during 30 recorded incidents between July and September this year. But following an investigation by the store and Sussex Police’s Business Crime Team, he was identified and made a priority for arrest. Walker was arrested and charged with 30 shop theft offences on September 28. At Brighton Magistrates’ Court on September 29, Walker, of no fixed address, admitted all the charges and was jailed for a total of six months. The court was told how the first offence was committed on July 7, and the last offence was recorded on September 16. Photo: Sussex Police

A drug dealer who repeatedly supplied cocaine in the Eastbourne area has been jailed for the third time. Nigel Hollands was arrested in June 2022 after messages consistent with the supply of Class A drugs were found on another person’s phone. Believing the messages came from Hollands’ phone, officers stopped and searched him in Beach Road, Eastbourne, and found him in possession of the phone in question. He was arrested and released under investigation while enquiries were ongoing. In July 2023, Hollands was charged with being concerned in the supply of cocaine and acquiring / using / possessing criminal property. Hollands, 37, of Cavendish Place, Eastbourne, pleaded guilty to both offences when he appeared at Lewes Crown Court on August 18. On October 6, he was sentenced to six-and-a-half years in prison.

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A drug dealer who repeatedly supplied cocaine in the Eastbourne area has been jailed for the third time. Nigel Hollands was arrested in June 2022 after messages consistent with the supply of Class A drugs were found on another person’s phone. Believing the messages came from Hollands’ phone, officers stopped and searched him in Beach Road, Eastbourne, and found him in possession of the phone in question. He was arrested and released under investigation while enquiries were ongoing. In July 2023, Hollands was charged with being concerned in the supply of cocaine and acquiring / using / possessing criminal property. Hollands, 37, of Cavendish Place, Eastbourne, pleaded guilty to both offences when he appeared at Lewes Crown Court on August 18. On October 6, he was sentenced to six-and-a-half years in prison. Photo: Sussex Police

A Sussex delivery driver tried to threaten and bribe a young boy after sexually assaulting him. Sussex Police said Nick Mesquitta, 30, of Western Street, Brighton, sexually assaulted a child inside a property and threatened him with violence if he reported it. “Mesquitta managed to isolate the young boy from his father in Lancing and then drove him to an address in Brighton,” a police spokesperson said. "Mesquitta also used anti-bacterial wipes to clean the young boy in an attempt to evade forensics. Mesquitta forced the young boy to take £30 cash to pretend nothing had happened and made threats of violence by saying that he knew people who could harm the young boy.” Police said Mesquitta falsely claimed to the victim’s father the boy was ‘behaving in an inappropriate, sexual manner’ on the drive home and had stolen £30 from him. “When the young boy returned to his home address, he disclosed the sexual assault to his parents shortly after, who reported it to police that night,” the police spokesperson said. "Mesquitta was arrested on September 10, 2022 and found to be in breach of an existing Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO), prohibiting him from contacting or being alone with anyone under 16-years-old, without permission of a parent or guardian.” Mesquitta was subsequently charged with inciting a child to engage in sexual activity, assault by touching and breaching his SHPO, police said. At Brighton Magistrates’ Court on September 12, 2022, he was remanded in custody. At Lewes Crown Court on August 22, 2023, Mesquitta was sentenced to 13 years and six months, with seven and a half years in custody, plus six years on extended licence.

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A Sussex delivery driver tried to threaten and bribe a young boy after sexually assaulting him. Sussex Police said Nick Mesquitta, 30, of Western Street, Brighton, sexually assaulted a child inside a property and threatened him with violence if he reported it. “Mesquitta managed to isolate the young boy from his father in Lancing and then drove him to an address in Brighton,” a police spokesperson said. "Mesquitta also used anti-bacterial wipes to clean the young boy in an attempt to evade forensics. Mesquitta forced the young boy to take £30 cash to pretend nothing had happened and made threats of violence by saying that he knew people who could harm the young boy.” Police said Mesquitta falsely claimed to the victim’s father the boy was ‘behaving in an inappropriate, sexual manner’ on the drive home and had stolen £30 from him. “When the young boy returned to his home address, he disclosed the sexual assault to his parents shortly after, who reported it to police that night,” the police spokesperson said. "Mesquitta was arrested on September 10, 2022 and found to be in breach of an existing Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO), prohibiting him from contacting or being alone with anyone under 16-years-old, without permission of a parent or guardian.” Mesquitta was subsequently charged with inciting a child to engage in sexual activity, assault by touching and breaching his SHPO, police said. At Brighton Magistrates’ Court on September 12, 2022, he was remanded in custody. At Lewes Crown Court on August 22, 2023, Mesquitta was sentenced to 13 years and six months, with seven and a half years in custody, plus six years on extended licence. Photo: Sussex Police

A driver who collided with a 76 year-old pedestrian at a crossing in Hastings has been sentenced. Lee Griffin, 46, was driving in St Helen’s Road when he struck the pensioner who was on a pedestrian crossing. The 78-year-old local woman suffered multiple injuries and tragically later died. At Lewes Crown Court on September 29, Griffin admitted causing death by careless driving. He has been sentenced to 18 months in prison and disqualified from driving for three years and nine months. The court heard how the incident happened at the pedestrian crossing in St Helen’s Road at about 4.20pm on August 25, 2021. Motorists travelling in the opposite direction had stopped to let the pensioner cross the road, but Griffin failed to do so. He claimed he had not seen her as she crossed the road. A Forensic Collision Investigation report concluded that Griffin, of Southdown Avenue, Hastings, would have had an unobstructed view of the crossing. It was not clear for what reason he had failed to see her. It may have been because he had failed to perceive her in a timely manner, or failed to perceive her movements to respond to her as a hazard ahead, or he may have been travelling too fast to allow enough time to react. The court heard how his vehicle, a blue Fiat Panda, had an MOT certificate which expired in December 2020. The victim’s family described the victim as a loving and devoted mother and grandmother who will be remembered with the utmost love and affection.

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A driver who collided with a 76 year-old pedestrian at a crossing in Hastings has been sentenced. Lee Griffin, 46, was driving in St Helen’s Road when he struck the pensioner who was on a pedestrian crossing. The 78-year-old local woman suffered multiple injuries and tragically later died. At Lewes Crown Court on September 29, Griffin admitted causing death by careless driving. He has been sentenced to 18 months in prison and disqualified from driving for three years and nine months. The court heard how the incident happened at the pedestrian crossing in St Helen’s Road at about 4.20pm on August 25, 2021. Motorists travelling in the opposite direction had stopped to let the pensioner cross the road, but Griffin failed to do so. He claimed he had not seen her as she crossed the road. A Forensic Collision Investigation report concluded that Griffin, of Southdown Avenue, Hastings, would have had an unobstructed view of the crossing. It was not clear for what reason he had failed to see her. It may have been because he had failed to perceive her in a timely manner, or failed to perceive her movements to respond to her as a hazard ahead, or he may have been travelling too fast to allow enough time to react. The court heard how his vehicle, a blue Fiat Panda, had an MOT certificate which expired in December 2020. The victim’s family described the victim as a loving and devoted mother and grandmother who will be remembered with the utmost love and affection. Photo: Sussex Police

An East Sussex man who subjected a woman to months of repeated rapes, violent assaults and psychological abuse has been given five life sentences, Sussex Police have confirmed. Police said Charles Durdle, 26, of Blatchington Road, first raped his victim at a property in Hove in April 2022. A Sussex Police spokesperson said: “Over the subsequent months, up to September 2022, Durdle continued to rape her on an almost daily basis, isolated her from her family and friends, and controlled almost every aspect of her life. Her physical health suffered hugely, losing 38kg over an 18-month period. On one occasion Durdle tied a noose around her neck and pulled it tight until she could not breathe, leaving asphyxiation injuries on her throat. Durdle’s offending was first reported to police in September 2022, when his victim caught him sending sexual videos of the two of them to a teenager. She also disclosed previous instances of violent abuse and threats to kill her. He was swiftly arrested, found to be in breach of an existing Sexual Harm Prevention Order and remanded in custody. Durdle was subsequently charged with five counts of rape, two counts of assault by penetration, and one count each of making indecent photographs of a child, actual bodily harm, intentional strangulation, engaging in controlling and coercive behaviour and with breaching a Sexual Harm Prevention Order. He pleaded guilty to all counts and at Lewes Crown Court on Friday, October 20, was given five life sentences to run concurrently, with a minimum jail term of 10 years and two months. He was also given an indefinite restraining order and will be on the Sex Offenders’ Register for life.”

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An East Sussex man who subjected a woman to months of repeated rapes, violent assaults and psychological abuse has been given five life sentences, Sussex Police have confirmed. Police said Charles Durdle, 26, of Blatchington Road, first raped his victim at a property in Hove in April 2022. A Sussex Police spokesperson said: “Over the subsequent months, up to September 2022, Durdle continued to rape her on an almost daily basis, isolated her from her family and friends, and controlled almost every aspect of her life. Her physical health suffered hugely, losing 38kg over an 18-month period. On one occasion Durdle tied a noose around her neck and pulled it tight until she could not breathe, leaving asphyxiation injuries on her throat. Durdle’s offending was first reported to police in September 2022, when his victim caught him sending sexual videos of the two of them to a teenager. She also disclosed previous instances of violent abuse and threats to kill her. He was swiftly arrested, found to be in breach of an existing Sexual Harm Prevention Order and remanded in custody. Durdle was subsequently charged with five counts of rape, two counts of assault by penetration, and one count each of making indecent photographs of a child, actual bodily harm, intentional strangulation, engaging in controlling and coercive behaviour and with breaching a Sexual Harm Prevention Order. He pleaded guilty to all counts and at Lewes Crown Court on Friday, October 20, was given five life sentences to run concurrently, with a minimum jail term of 10 years and two months. He was also given an indefinite restraining order and will be on the Sex Offenders’ Register for life.” Photo: Sussex Police

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

1. Locked up in Sussex: These are some of the criminals jailed in October 2023

Sussex’s judges, juries and magistrates were busy in October. Photo: Sussex Police

A construction worker from Bexhill, who raped a young child has been jailed for more than 30 years, police said. Bradley Martin, 29, of Chandler Road, Bexhill, raped his victim multiple times, police said. Police said they were made aware after the child’s mother took them to hospital for examination after finding unexplained injuries. Hospital staff in Hastings raised concerns to Sussex Police and an investigation was launched. Police said Martin was arrested on October 26 last year and his phone revealed incriminating searches including, ‘How do police know if something has been penetrated?’ and ‘How many years for sex offenders in Bexhill?’. Officers also found 127 illegal images of extreme pornography involving both animals and humans, police added. He was charged with three counts of rape of a child under 13 and remanded in custody. Police said he pleaded not guilty to all charges, but at Hove Crown Court on Monday, July 3, was found guilty of each of the offences. At Hove Crown Court on September 29, Martin was sentenced to 23 years in prison, with another eight to be spent on extended licence, police said. He will be on the Sex Offenders’ Register for life and was given an indefinite Sexual Harm Prevention Order significantly restricting his access to children and digital devices, police added.

2. 20231002-47eh3597222-bradley-martin-pt.jpg

A construction worker from Bexhill, who raped a young child has been jailed for more than 30 years, police said. Bradley Martin, 29, of Chandler Road, Bexhill, raped his victim multiple times, police said. Police said they were made aware after the child’s mother took them to hospital for examination after finding unexplained injuries. Hospital staff in Hastings raised concerns to Sussex Police and an investigation was launched. Police said Martin was arrested on October 26 last year and his phone revealed incriminating searches including, ‘How do police know if something has been penetrated?’ and ‘How many years for sex offenders in Bexhill?’. Officers also found 127 illegal images of extreme pornography involving both animals and humans, police added. He was charged with three counts of rape of a child under 13 and remanded in custody. Police said he pleaded not guilty to all charges, but at Hove Crown Court on Monday, July 3, was found guilty of each of the offences. At Hove Crown Court on September 29, Martin was sentenced to 23 years in prison, with another eight to be spent on extended licence, police said. He will be on the Sex Offenders’ Register for life and was given an indefinite Sexual Harm Prevention Order significantly restricting his access to children and digital devices, police added. Photo: Sussex Police

A man has been jailed for assaulting an ambulance worker while intoxicated with alcohol in Eastbourne. Jose Luis Serro Alexandre was found unconscious in a premises in Terminus Road, Eastbourne. An ambulance was sent and staff from the South East Coast Ambulance Service (SECAmb) took him into the ambulance. But after waking up and at first being calm and co-operative, Alexandre turned aggressive and insulting to the two crew members. The 49-year-old confronted one of the ambulance workers and assaulted him outside the vehicle. The ambulance worker was fortunately not seriously injured but required time off work due to pain and the stress caused. At Lewes Crown Court on September 15, Alexandre admitted assaulting an emergency worker, and was jailed for a total of eight months. The court was told how the incident happened at about 9pm on May 17 this year. Alexandre, unemployed of Pevensey Road, Eastbourne, jumped up out of the ambulance and was then seen kicking the victim. The victim pressed an alert button for ambulance colleagues, and police arrived soon after and arrested Alexandre.

3. 20231002-jose-alexandre-jailed-portrait.jpg

A man has been jailed for assaulting an ambulance worker while intoxicated with alcohol in Eastbourne. Jose Luis Serro Alexandre was found unconscious in a premises in Terminus Road, Eastbourne. An ambulance was sent and staff from the South East Coast Ambulance Service (SECAmb) took him into the ambulance. But after waking up and at first being calm and co-operative, Alexandre turned aggressive and insulting to the two crew members. The 49-year-old confronted one of the ambulance workers and assaulted him outside the vehicle. The ambulance worker was fortunately not seriously injured but required time off work due to pain and the stress caused. At Lewes Crown Court on September 15, Alexandre admitted assaulting an emergency worker, and was jailed for a total of eight months. The court was told how the incident happened at about 9pm on May 17 this year. Alexandre, unemployed of Pevensey Road, Eastbourne, jumped up out of the ambulance and was then seen kicking the victim. The victim pressed an alert button for ambulance colleagues, and police arrived soon after and arrested Alexandre. Photo: Sussex Police

A shoplifter who repeatedly stole items from a Co-op store was identified, arrested, and has been sentenced in court. Phillip Walker targeted the store in Blatchington Road, Hove, during a two-month spree this summer. The 39-year-old regularly stole alcohol and other items from the shop without paying for them. In total he stole goods worth more than £1,800 during 30 recorded incidents between July and September this year. But following an investigation by the store and Sussex Police’s Business Crime Team, he was identified and made a priority for arrest. Walker was arrested and charged with 30 shop theft offences on September 28. At Brighton Magistrates’ Court on September 29, Walker, of no fixed address, admitted all the charges and was jailed for a total of six months. The court was told how the first offence was committed on July 7, and the last offence was recorded on September 16.

4. 20231004-jailed-shoplifter-phillip-walker-portrait.jpg

A shoplifter who repeatedly stole items from a Co-op store was identified, arrested, and has been sentenced in court. Phillip Walker targeted the store in Blatchington Road, Hove, during a two-month spree this summer. The 39-year-old regularly stole alcohol and other items from the shop without paying for them. In total he stole goods worth more than £1,800 during 30 recorded incidents between July and September this year. But following an investigation by the store and Sussex Police’s Business Crime Team, he was identified and made a priority for arrest. Walker was arrested and charged with 30 shop theft offences on September 28. At Brighton Magistrates’ Court on September 29, Walker, of no fixed address, admitted all the charges and was jailed for a total of six months. The court was told how the first offence was committed on July 7, and the last offence was recorded on September 16. Photo: Sussex Police