Locked up in Sussex: These are some of the criminals jailed in September
By Matt Pole
Published 3rd Oct 2022, 10:54 BST
Sussex’s judges, juries and magistrates were busy in September.
These are some of the most serious, high profile and prolific offenders who were jailed in the ninth month of 2022.
All information comes directly from Sussex Police.
9. Locked up in Sussex: These are some of the criminals jailed in September
A prolific offender has been jailed after he kicked an officer in the head and spat at another officer in Shoreham. George Cain was detained on suspicion of assaulting someone known to him by officers, but he resisted officers and reacted violently. The 30-year-old appeared in court where he admitted the two assaults on officers that related to an incident on November 13 last year. The court also heard how Cain had targeted a Co-op store in Shoreham High Street on 12 occasions between February and May this year. He was seen on CCTV stealing items by hiding them in his jumper, shorts and underwear. The list of items he stole included milk, a St Valentine’s Day card, dog food, tinned fish, fizzy drinks, and chilled soup. Cain also found himself back in trouble after taking a vehicle without the owner’s consent, and drove while over the legal alcohol limit. He appeared before Worthing Magistrates’ Court on August 8, where he admitted the following offences; assault occasioning actual bodily harm and assaulting an emergency worker; twelve counts of shoplifting, drink-driving, taking a vehicle without the owner’s consent, driving otherwise than in accordance with a licence, driving without valid insurance, and failing to provide a specimen for analysis when suspected of drug-driving. He was sentenced to a total of 42 weeks in prison for the offences. In court it was revealed how police had been called to Shoreham on November 13 last year over reports of an assault. As officers went to place Cain, of East Street, Shoreham, under arrest on suspicion of the offence, he attacked the two officers and resisted arrest. Cain punched one officer repeatedly and then kicked the officer to the head. It took the help of two security staff from a nearby bar and other officers to bring the situation under control and take Cain to custody. Then between February 14 and May 14 he committed the thefts at the Co-op convenience store. The driving matter took place on March 24, when he overtook an off-duty police officer on Photo: Sussex Police
10. Locked up in Sussex: These are some of the criminals jailed in September
A man who burgled five homes across Surrey and Sussex within a 24-hour period has been jailed. Adam Prendergast, 33, of no fixed address, was already serving a jail sentence for previous burglaries when he was found to be behind a spate of break-ins from March, 2022. Police in Surrey and Sussex received reports of burglaries at two properties in Hailsham and one each in Pevensey Bay, East Grinstead and Reigate on Tuesday, March 29. Many of the victims were elderly people and each of the homes had been entered through a smashed window or glass door. An investigation discovered a black BMW was present at one of the scenes, waiting nearby to watch the house and only approach when the residents had left. Doorbell footage also showed a break-in taking place, with a man later identified as Prendergast smashing through a window and entering the property. The BMW was traced using police cameras across both counties and tracked moving between all of the reported burglary scenes. It was also found to be using false registration plates. Further investigation discovered Prendergast had used four different false registration plates on the same vehicle, including for burglaries on March 30 in West Mercia, for which he is awaiting sentence. After being identified as the perpetrator of the Surrey and Sussex burglaries, Prendergast was charged with five counts of burglary and one count of fraudulently using a registration plate. He subsequently pleaded guilty and, at Lewes Crown Court on Tuesday, August 30, was jailed for six years. Photo: Sussex Police
11. Locked up in Sussex: These are some of the criminals jailed in September
A Brighton shoplifter who relentlessly targeted shops around the city centre has been jailed. Carly Smart, 32, of Gloucester Road in Brighton, was charged with 11 counts of shoplifting following a series of incidents between April and July this year. Smart focused on a broad range of different stores, stealing almost £2,000-worth of goods including make-up, food, clothes and fragrances. From one store she even attempted to leave with a mop, but was stopped by security guards. Many of the thefts were captured clearly on CCTV cameras and Smart was stopped multiple times by security staff and store employees, before making off. She was identified as a prolific offender through work under Sussex Police’s Operation Apprentice, a partnership that includes Brighton and Hove’s Business Crime Reduction Partnership (BCRP) and Business Improvement District (BID) ambassadors. The BCRP and BID ambassadors provide vital information to help with investigations, such as timely reports to police, statements and CCTV. Their detailed knowledge of repeat offenders is also essential, helping to identify prolific offenders and secure prosecutions against them. Through Op Apprentice, officers work with the business community to identify areas and individuals of concern and work together to share information, gather intelligence and bring perpetrators to justice. Smart was arrested on Friday, August 26, and swiftly charged with 11 counts of shoplifting. She pleaded guilty to all counts at Brighton Magistrates’ Court on Monday, August 29 and was sentenced to 16 weeks in prison. Photo: Sussex Police