These are some of the most serious, high profile and prolific offenders who were jailed in the tenth month of 2024.
All information comes directly from Sussex Police.
5. Locked up in Sussex: These are some of the criminals jailed in October 2024
A robber who targeted a petrol station near Gatwick has been sentenced. Ricky Beckford entered the premises and threatened staff to empty the till. He wore camouflage clothing and a balaclava to obscure his face. The 32-year-old also claimed he had a gun. He took a small quantity of cash from the till then went outside. The police were called and he was arrested. Officers found he was in possession of a knife in his backpack. At Lewes Crown Court on October 21, Beckford, of Home Piece Road, Wells, Norfolk, admitted robbery and possession of a knife or bladed article in a public place. He was sentenced to 18 months in prison. The court was told how the incident happened at about 6.15pm on February 16 this year. Beckford himself called the police to inform them he had committed robbery. Photo: Sussex Police
6. Locked up in Sussex: These are some of the criminals jailed in October 2024
A man who used three separate sites in East Sussex to produce, store and supply anabolic steroids has been jailed. Paul Veness, 43, was stopped in his Lamborghini Urus by officers in Eastbourne on 28 September 2023, and arrested on suspicion of money laundering. He was wearing a Rolex watch worth approximately £34,000, and had £4,000 cash and a diamond ring worth £25,000 in the vehicle. The same day, police executed search warrants at three separate sites linked to Veness – the farm he owned and lived at in Hailsham Road, Polegate; a second address he owned in West Terrace, Eastbourne; and a storage container in his name in Edison Road, Eastbourne. A significant quantity of pills and clear bottles containing liquid – found to be anabolic steroids and other prescription medication – were discovered, as well as comprehensive production equipment and associated packaging. These items were seized, along with the Lamborghini, Rolex, diamond ring and cash totalling more than £300,000, as an investigation was carried out. Veness was subsequently arrested and charged with the production of anabolic steroids; possession with intent to supply a controlled Class C drug; being concerned in the supply of a Class C drug; and acquiring / using / possessing criminal property. He pleaded guilty to all offences, and at Lewes Crown Court on October 14 he was sentenced to 38 months’ imprisonment. Photo: Sussex Police
7. Locked up in Sussex: These are some of the criminals jailed in October 2024
Three men have been sentenced following a series of violent incidents at a venue in Hove, which left several people injured. On the evening of November 25, 2022, a group of friends were celebrating at Rockwater on Hove seafront when three members of the party became involved in altercations with other guests. The men – Abdumajid Mohamed (left), 30, of Oxford Road, Chiswick, Fouad Al Soufah (right), 29, of Lampton Road, Hounslow, and Michael Evans, 29, of Thornbury Road, Isleworth – were involved in incidents that left one man with a broken ankle and two others with head injuries after they were struck with glass bottles and punched. On November 28, at Brighton Magistrates’ Court, Mohamed was remanded in custody, but later released on bail following an appeal. Police enquiries identified Al Soufah as the third man involved, and he voluntarily attended Staines Police Station for an interview on February 15, 2023. He and the other two men were charged on September 14 with a further count of grievous bodily harm with intent and with affray. At court, Al Soufah was also charged with assault, to which he pleaded guilty on the first day of trial in Hove on July 22. On August 8, the verdicts were delivered and Mohamed was found guilty of two counts of grievous bodily harm with intent and for affray. He was found not guilty in relation to a third grievous bodily harm with intent offence, where a 21-year-old reported being struck with a bottle from behind. Al Soufah was found guilty of grievous bodily harm with intent and of affray. Lastly, Evans was found guilty of affray and of the reduced offence of causing grievous bodily harm without intent. On September 24, all Al Soufah and Evans were sentenced together at Hove Crown Court for their roles in the violent acts. Mohamed failed to appear at court for sentencing and he remains wanted at this time. In his absence, Mohamed was sentenced to six years in prison. Al Soufah received a four year sentence, and Evans received a 12-month suspended sentence, 200 hours Photo: Sussex Police
8. Locked up in Sussex: These are some of the criminals jailed in October 2024
A man has been jailed for six years for a series of burglaries at properties in Brighton and Hove. Billy Hall, 50, of North Road, Brighton, appeared at Lewes Crown Court on October 14 after pleading guilty to committing burglary at a home in Dyke Road, two at homes in Highcroft Villas, Brighton, and in Chalfont Drive, Hove, as well as targeting a business in Stanford Avenue, Brighton. These offences occurred from April to August this year. The court heard that Hall broke into flats, a house and business during the night, often when the occupants were asleep. He stole thousands of pounds worth of cash, jewellery, laptops, a mobile phone and a bank card. Hall was sentenced to a six-year custodial sentence. Photo: Sussex Police