Lewes Crown Court Sentencing Results

Explore 107 verdicts at Lewes Crown Court (Lewes). Updated with the latest court outcomes.

March 2024 1 case

Alyn Matless

Indecent assault and gross indecency with a child *

Sentence

5.5 years imprisonment

Alyn Matless committed a series of sex attacks on four young girls, aged between 3 and 12 years old and known to him, over separate periods from 1962 to 1989 in Hove and East Sussex.

Found guilty after a three-day retrial of 21 offences. Detective Constable Martyn Milligan noted the victims' willingness to come forward contributed to bringing Matless to justice.

3 Mar 2024

February 2024 2 cases

Stephen Mcgarry

Possession of indecent images of children *

Sentence

12 months suspended for two years

Stephen McGarry was convicted of keeping a stash of 50 indecent images of children, including four level 5 pictures, the most serious level. The charges followed an investigation by the Sussex Police Paedophile On-Line Investigation Team (POLIT).

Required to register as a sex offender for 10 years and served with a 10-year sexual offence prevention order. Previously convicted between 1970 and 1995 of eight indecent assault and gross indecency offences against boys aged under 16.

28 Feb 2024

Tobias Kingsley Dynes

Rape *

Sentence

13½ years imprisonment

Tobias Kingsley Dynes, 29, of Frederick Gardens, Brighton, raped a 27-year-old woman while on the run from police. He blackmailed her over several months, demanding increasing sums of money, and subjected her to violent threats against her and her three children, causing her to flee to Liverpool. He continued threats to force her to withdraw statements to police after she reported him to Sussex Police.

Sentenced after a week-long trial. Judge at Lewes Crown Court. Detective Constable Robin Aspin described him as a violent and manipulative man.

21 Feb 2024

January 2024 2 cases

Thomas Waeling

Attempted Murder *

Sentence

13 years imprisonment and 3 years extended licence, plus 9 months concurrent for possessing a knife

Thomas Waeling, then 17, armed himself with a large knife following an argument with his father and stabbed 50-year-old Sarah Taylor multiple times as she walked home from Lidl in Hastings on May 15, 2023. He had previously told a friend he intended to stab the first person he saw. The incident occurred near Bohemia Road around 8pm, where Ms Taylor sustained life-changing injuries, including severe post-traumatic stress disorder, loss of sensation in 30% of her arm, and inability to play her musical instrument, which was her source of income. Emergency services and members of the public intervened to save her life. Waeling fled the scene, discarded the knife in a public toilet, and asked a friend to burn his clothes.

Found guilty of attempted murder after a trial. Judge Christine Laing KC described the attack as 'utterly senseless' and motivated solely by his bad mood after an argument with his father. The defendant expressed remorse through his defence.

26 Jan 2024

Arnand Rruci

Rape and drug dealing *

Sentence

6 years imprisonment for rape and 3 years for drug dealing, total 9 years

Arnand Rruci, 28, of Old Shoreham Road, Brighton, raped a 20-year-old woman after meeting her at Lola Lo club in East Street in June 2023. He took her to his flat where the attack occurred. The victim left the next morning and raised the alarm. He was arrested ten days later by Sussex Police using CCTV evidence from the club. He also admitted to drug-related offenses.

Found guilty of two counts of rape by jury. Admitted three counts of dealing drugs and possession of cocaine and cannabis. Will be deported to Albania upon release.

22 Jan 2024

November 2023 7 cases

Chris Moodey

Robbery *

Sentence

3 years and 7 months imprisonment

Chris Moodey, 33, of Harrington Road, Brighton, robbed four convenience stores in Brighton over three days from 2 July to 4 July. He targeted Corner News and Booze on Upper Hollingdean Road on 2 July, the post office store in Preston Drove on 3 July, N&M Stores in Upper Lewes Road on 4 July, and St Mary’s convenience store in Upper Hamilton Road on 4 July. He was armed with a knife on two occasions. No one was injured in the incidents.

Pleaded guilty to four counts of robbery and two charges of having an offensive weapon. Also admitted a charge of fraud.

28 Nov 2023

Shareef Mohammed Ruhomally

Causing death by careless driving while over the limit *

Sentence

5 years imprisonment

Shareef Mohammed Ruhomally, 30, of Glynn Road, Peacehaven, was driving a BMW 318L with three colleagues from Poundland in London Road, Brighton, when he crashed into a Skoda Octavia taxi just after midnight on Thursday 27 November 2022, in Warren Road on the Race Hill in Brighton. He had been drinking, with 83 micrograms of alcohol in 100 millilitres of blood, exceeding the legal limit of 80 micrograms. The crash killed 19-year-old Alex Jackson, who was in the front passenger seat, and injured Chantelle Marriott and Scott Hammond. The taxi driver suffered minor injuries.

Convicted after a three-day trial. Banned from driving for five years after release. Judge commented on his appalling driving record and attempt to minimise his actions.

13 Nov 2023

Attila Kolompar

Trafficking women for sexual exploitation *

Sentence

2 years and 9 months imprisonment

Attila Kolompar, 37, was part of a gang of eight that trafficked more than 60 vulnerable women to Britain and forced them to work as prostitutes in brothels in Brighton, Eastbourne, Gatwick, Folkestone, and Margate, including one on the Sussex University campus at Falmer. The women, in their teens and twenties, were made to work shifts of up to 12 hours a day, seeing 10-15 men for sex, charged £100 per hour but kept only 10% of earnings while enduring threats and violence. Kolompar made over £5,000 a month bringing women to Britain and escorting them between brothels.

Admitted trafficking women for sexual exploitation. Acted as chaperone and driver. Extradited from Hungary in March.

7 Nov 2023

Edward Phillips

Murder *

Sentence

Life imprisonment with minimum term of 16 years

Edward Phillips, 49, with links to Brighton, along with Michael Clark, carried out the murder of homeless Lea Williams in February 2023 near Portland Road, Hove, at the behest of Lauren Bishop. Williams, an alcoholic who had moved to Brighton and Hove from Hastings about a year prior, was beaten 20 to 30 times, possibly with a metal railing he kept for protection, resulting in injuries to his face and head from a heavy object, several broken ribs, and his death. The attack occurred after Bishop confronted Williams for swearing at another person while drinking with homeless friends. Phillips received sexual favours from Bishop as a reward.

Found guilty of murder after a five-week trial. Claimed to be a good friend to the victim but participated in the attack for sexual favours from Bishop and tried to blame Clark.

4 Nov 2023

Michael Clark

Murder *

Sentence

Life imprisonment with minimum term of 16 years

Michael Clark, 51, of Trafalgar Street, Brighton, along with Edward Phillips, carried out the murder of homeless Lea Williams in February 2023 near Portland Road, Hove, at the behest of Lauren Bishop. Williams, an alcoholic who had moved to Brighton and Hove from Hastings about a year prior, was beaten 20 to 30 times, possibly with a metal railing he kept for protection, resulting in injuries to his face and head from a heavy object, several broken ribs, and his death. The attack occurred after Bishop confronted Williams for swearing at another person while drinking with homeless friends.

Found guilty of murder after a five-week trial. Claimed to have suffered blackouts and had no memory of the incident.

4 Nov 2023

Lauren Bishop

Conspiring to murder *

Sentence

15 years imprisonment

Lauren Bishop, 36, a nurse and mother of four from Eastbourne Road, Seaford, instigated the murder of homeless Lea Williams in February 2023 near Portland Road, Hove, by confronting him after he swore at another person while drinking with homeless friends, including Clark and Phillips, and threatening that it wasn’t over. She requested Clark and Phillips to carry out the attack. Williams, an alcoholic who had moved to Brighton and Hove from Hastings about a year prior and was sleeping in an archway under the promenade in Kingsway, Hove, was beaten 20 to 30 times, possibly with a metal railing he kept for protection, resulting in fatal injuries to his face and head from a heavy object and several broken ribs. Bishop later offered sexual favours to Phillips as a reward.

Found guilty of conspiring to murder after a five-week trial. Instigated the attack by confronting the victim and requesting Clark and Phillips to carry it out.

4 Nov 2023

Rachel Suarez

Robbery *

Sentence

6 months custody suspended for 2 years

Rachel Suarez, 29, from Egremont Place, Brighton, participated in the robbery of the Corner News and Booze shop in Brighton on 2 July, accompanied by Chris Moodey who was armed with a knife. No one was injured in the incident.

Pleaded guilty to robbery. Ordered to pay £120 in compensation.

4 Nov 2023

October 2023 3 cases

Bruce Ernest Geoffery Schooley

Rape *

Sentence

21 years imprisonment

In the 1970s, while in his twenties and living in Whitehawk, Bruce Ernest Geoffery Schooley raped a girl between five and 12 years old at his Brighton home on multiple occasions, including once on his sofa while watching The Sweeney on television. He also committed five counts of indecent assault against her. The victim reported the serial abuse more than 30 years later, leading to his arrest and conviction on ten charges, including roll-up counts covering additional offences.

Convicted of five counts of rape and five counts of indecent assault. Placed on the sex offenders register for life and made subject of a sexual offences prevention order.

23 Oct 2023

Marian Suchodolinsky

Indecent exposure *

Sentence

six months in prison suspended for two years

Marian Suchodolinsky, 26, of Sandhurst Avenue, Brighton, repeatedly entered back gardens near his Woodingdean home and exposed himself to women between March and August 2023, targeting three women. He was caught during an undercover operation by Sussex Police after targeting one victim's home twice before. Although he never attempted to enter homes or make physical contact, the incidents were distressing for victims and concerning for the community.

Pleaded guilty to the offences. Sentenced for five counts of indecent exposure and trespassing with intent to commit a sexual offence.

5 Oct 2023

Kane Lawrence

Stalking *

Sentence

Not stated

Kane Lawrence was convicted of stalking his former partner. He regularly broke onto his ex’s balcony to spend the night there and kept turning up at her Portslade flat despite repeated warnings from her and the police to stay away. He would climb onto the flat roof at the back next to her bedroom, sleep there regularly, and in the communal hallway. The relationship was from 2018 until they split in 2020. Police were called by the woman’s neighbour after Lawrence told him that changing the locks wouldn’t keep her safe.

Held in custody for a while before being sentenced. Currently wanted for breaching probation conditions.

1 Oct 2023

August 2023 3 cases

Joseph Lavelle

Causing death by careless driving when under the influence of alcohol *

Sentence

6 years imprisonment

On Thursday 23 June 2022, Joseph Lavelle, who was two and a half times over the alcohol limit, was driving his Peugeot 306 on the westbound carriageway of the A27 Brighton bypass in Hangleton when he crashed into a broken down Vauxhall Astra, killing Alf Filer, a 58-year-old father from Elm Grove, Worthing, who was standing beside his vehicle. The incident was investigated by Sussex Police Road Policing Unit.

Pleaded guilty at a hearing last month. Also disqualified from driving for five years and required to pass an extended driving test.

22 Aug 2023

Matthew Taylor

Rape *

Sentence

6.5 years imprisonment

Matthew Taylor lured a woman in her 20s, who was new to the town, away from a busy pub to Hastings beach on February 12, 2023, under the pretense of being friendly. Once on the beach, his behaviour changed, and he raped her despite her repeated protests and lack of consent, subjecting her to a traumatic ordeal.

Found guilty after a trial. Added to the Sex Offenders’ Register. Cleared of a second charge of rape. The Crown Prosecution Service described it as an appalling opportunistic attack.

18 Aug 2023

Philip Olliver

Rape *

Sentence

9 years imprisonment

Philip Olliver followed a 19-year-old woman who was drunk and walking home alone after a company Christmas night out in Brighton. He befriended her around 2am on Monday 5 January 2023, then attacked and raped her outside Ardingly Court before fleeing. DNA evidence linked him to the crime via his previous rape conviction. He denied the charges, claiming consensual sex, but was found guilty by a jury in less than 90 minutes.

Convicted by jury on two counts of rape, sexual assault by penetration and sexual assault by touching. Required to be on the sex offender register indefinitely. Prior conviction for rape at age 16, sentenced to 5 years in young offender institution.

6 Aug 2023

June 2023 1 case

David Mould

Child sex abuse *

Sentence

21 years imprisonment with an extended licence of seven years

David Mould, 68, of Seaford, East Sussex, used the dark web under the username 'Globe Trotter' to share stories about sexually abusing children and offer advice to other paedophiles. He made trips to the Philippines and Nepal between April 2018 and May 2019 to sexually abuse and exploit children, targeting young boys in smaller cities and rural areas by offering gifts and money to groom them. Evidence from his digital equipment included chat logs, over 100,000 indecent images of children, and manuals on abusing children and avoiding detection. Three boys in the Philippines are now being safeguarded.

Pleaded guilty to 24 offences largely related to child sex abuse. He was previously convicted in 2000 of making indecent images of children, for which he served four weeks in prison. He has been banned from travelling to 22 countries and must sign the sex offenders register.

23 Jun 2023

March 2023 1 case

Anthony Coates

Breaches of the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order *

Sentence

Six months imprisonment suspended for 12 months, 150 hours of unpaid community work, and a £1,000 fine

Anthony Coates, as director of two companies, was involved in the purchase and renovation of Columbia House, a seven-storey high-rise block of flats in Romany Road, Worthing, around 2022. He allowed residents to occupy the flats before the escape routes, corridors, and stairs were signed off as fire safety compliant, thereby placing occupants at an increased risk of death or serious injury in the event of a fire.

Pleaded guilty to five charges under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order (2005). The breaches endangered approximately 30 residents and undermined the building's fire safety strategy.

14 Mar 2023

December 2022 1 case

William Westein

Conspiracy to convert criminal property *

Sentence

18 months imprisonment

William Westein was part of a gang that stole 20 cars over four months until their arrest in the spring. The gang stole some cars after burgling owners' homes and taking their keys; in other cases, they took cars from driveways or streets. They sold seven of the cars, which have since been recovered, and sold valuable goods left in the cars such as tools, mobile phones, and computers.

Released the same day on licence after spending nine months on remand; licence revoked for non-compliance, now subject to recall to prison. Sentenced along with ten others.

11 Dec 2022

November 2022 1 case

Ryan Selby

Dangerous Driving *

Sentence

7.5 years imprisonment and 8 years and 3 months driving ban

Ryan Selby was driving at speeds of up to 113mph in a 40mph zone on the A259 in Hastings, East Sussex, overtaking several vehicles before entering a white cross-hatched area and crashing into Oli Paxton, a pedestrian crossing the road. The incident occurred on March 9, 2021, in a residential area near two schools, resulting in Mr. Paxton's death at the scene. Selby was estimated to be driving between 107mph and 113mph and did not brake, showing a complete disregard for road safety.

Pleaded guilty to dangerous driving. Judge Christine Laing KC commented on his flagrant disregard for the rules of the road and the danger to other users.

1 Nov 2022

October 2022 1 case

Monique Moss

Dangerous Driving *

Sentence

2 years imprisonment and disqualified from driving for 4 years

Monique Moss stole her friend’s keys and drove a stolen Ford Focus, crashing it into a bus stop in Crawley, West Sussex on July 2, 2022. She was filmed on dashcam abandoning the vehicle sideways in the road and walking away. She was already disqualified from driving and faced charges including dangerous driving, theft of a vehicle, driving while disqualified, being in charge of a vehicle in dangerous circumstances, failing to report a road traffic collision, and driving while uninsured.

Took absolutely no responsibility for her actions, even walking away from the wreckage as if nothing had happened.

28 Oct 2022

September 2022 2 cases

Brett Ford

Inciting a child into sexual activity *

Sentence

two years and one month in prison

Brett Ford, 20, of Newick Road, Moulsecoomb, used Facebook to message a 12-year-old girl with explicit content, sending her lewd images and trying to arrange to meet her for sex on several occasions this year.

Pleaded guilty. Will also have to be on the sex offenders register for 10 years.

14 Sep 2022

Sally Ann Dixon

Indecent Assault *

Sentence

20 years imprisonment

Sally Ann Dixon, formerly known as John Stephen Dixon, committed 30 indecent assaults against five girls and two boys between 1989 and 1996. The crimes involved systematic abuse of vulnerable young children through trusted family connections for sexual gratification, with some victims being abused simultaneously. The offences were uncovered in 2019 when one victim reported them, leading to Dixon's conviction.

Convicted of 30 indecent assaults. Also subject to a sexual harm prevention order indefinitely.

8 Sep 2022

August 2022 1 case

Katie Price

Breaching a restraining order *

Sentence

170 hours unpaid work and £415 fine

Katie Price, 44, breached a five-year restraining order imposed in June 2019 by sending a message on 21 January 2022 to her ex-husband Kieran Hayler, insulting his fiancée Michelle Penticost with highly offensive language including 'c***ing whore' and 'gutter slag'. The message was triggered by an Instagram post by Penticost, which Price felt was aimed at her. Price also hurled a foul-mouthed tirade at Penticost during a row in a school playground. The breach had a devastating effect on Penticost's mental wellbeing, making her feel threatened, intimidated, and vulnerable.

Pleaded guilty to breaching a restraining order. Judge Stephen Mooney imposed an 18-month community order. Defence cited misunderstanding and provocation; showed remorse.

25 Aug 2022

July 2022 1 case

Charlie Jones

Dangerous driving *

Sentence

10 weeks imprisonment, banned from driving for 18 months, ordered to pay £1,000 costs and an £80 victim surcharge

Charlie Jones, 21, of Collingwood Close, Peacehaven, filmed himself driving a Vauxhall Astra through Peacehaven with the car filled with smoke after his passenger deliberately let off a fire extinguisher inside the vehicle in Heathy Brow on Tuesday 5 August last year. He was laughing hysterically, continued to drive, and filmed the incident on his mobile phone at the same time. The next day, he uploaded the video to Facebook titled “Classic nearly died twice”. A member of the public reported it, leading to identification and tracing by Sussex Police.

Found guilty by a jury of dangerous driving. Did not accept that his driving was dangerous but the jury thought otherwise. PC Anna Batchelor noted the recklessness and potential serious consequences.

15 Jul 2022

May 2022 1 case

Michael Tizzard

Making indecent images of children *

Sentence

12 months imprisonment

Michael Tizzard systematically collected still images and videos of girls estimated to be aged between 10 and 12 years old, some of the most serious type, and posted some on a site accessible to other offenders, between 2002 and 2011. The charges followed an intelligence-led investigation by the Sussex Police Paedophile On-Line Investigation Team. None of the images are believed to be of local children and there was no evidence of contact offending. He admitted the offences upon arrest last year for his own sexual gratification.

Pleaded guilty on 23 April to one count of distribution of indecent images of children and 17 counts of making indecent images of children. Issued with a Sexual Harm Prevention Order for ten years and registered sex offender for ten years.

22 May 2022

May 2021 2 cases

Christopher Fenton

Causing death by dangerous driving *

Sentence

3 years and 8 months’ imprisonment

On March 6th, 2020, around 6.45pm, Christopher Fenton, aged 40, was driving an Audi S4 eastbound on Fairlight Road, Fairlight, at approximately 76mph in a 60mph zone. He had alcohol just under the legal limit and 6.1mcg of cannabis per litre of blood (legal limit 2mcg). He clipped the wing mirror of a Volkswagen Polo, mounted the nearside verge, and crossed into the path of an oncoming Citroen Picasso driven by Marcus Haynes, 65, from Cheltenham, Gloucestershire. Marcus Haynes died at the scene, his wife, 66, suffered serious injuries, and their son, 24, from Stroud, sustained minor injuries. Fenton fled the scene but returned after over an hour, having changed his footwear. He suffered serious injuries and was hospitalized. He was arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving and causing serious injury by dangerous driving. On November 18th, 2020, he was arrested again in Pevensey Bay for driving under the influence with 6.5mcg of cannabis per litre of blood.

Pleaded guilty to causing death by dangerous driving and causing serious injury by dangerous driving. Also disqualified from driving for five years and ten months, and must take an extended re-test. Previously disqualified for 12 months and ordered to pay £280 costs for driving under the influence of cannabis.

10 May 2021

Jennie Johnson

Perjury *

Sentence

6 years imprisonment

Jennie Johnson lied under oath at Russell Bishop's original 1987 trial for the murders of Nicola Fellows and Karen Hadaway, providing false testimony that contributed to his acquittal. She was convicted in 2021 for perverting the course of justice and making a false statement, having claimed she was a vulnerable young mother in an abusive relationship with Bishop in the late 1980s.

Convicted of perverting the course of justice and making a false statement by lying at Russell Bishop's 1987 trial. Appeal dismissed by Lord Justice Fulford, Mrs Justice Cutts and Mr Justice Henshaw.

1 May 2021

March 2021 1 case

Rhys Kersey

Driving while disqualified *

Sentence

5 years and 7 months’ imprisonment

On July 1st 2019, in the early hours, police on patrol on the A259 at Hastings spotted a yellow Fiat Punto which accelerated away, reaching speeds of up to 70mph in a 30mph zone. Officers pursued the vehicle after activating blue lights, but it made a sudden right turn into Warrior Square and crashed into a 27-year-old male pedestrian and a brick wall, seriously injuring the pedestrian and the 22-year-old female passenger in the car, both requiring hospital treatment. The driver, Rhys Kersey, unemployed and of no fixed address, was uninjured. He had been disqualified from driving for 24 months at South West London Magistrates’ Court on February 28th 2017 for dangerous driving. He was charged with driving while disqualified, failing to stop when required by police, driving without insurance, and failing to stop after a road traffic collision.

Pleaded guilty to all four offences. Also disqualified from driving for four years and six months. History of convictions for driving offences.

2 Mar 2021

August 2020 1 case

Mark Stevens

Sexual assault *

Sentence

3 years and 9 months imprisonment

Mark Stevens sexually assaulted a woman known to him while she was naked and either asleep or unconscious at her home in Rye on the evening of October 3rd, 2018. He videoed the assault using his mobile phone and shared the footage with a number of contacts. The victim became aware of the incident more than two months later and reported it to police, leading to Stevens' arrest. Stevens, 34, a warehouse worker from Paxhill Close, St Leonards, was charged with sexual assault, sexual assault by penetration, and publishing an obscene article.

Pleaded guilty to all three offences. Placed on the Sex Offenders Register for ten years. Judge noted it as a serious sexual offence causing tremendous distress and anxiety to the victim.

5 Aug 2020

January 2020 1 case

Daniel Appleton

Murder *

Sentence

life imprisonment with a minimum term of 26.5 years

Daniel Appleton murdered his wife, primary school teacher Amy Appleton, and passing dog walker Sandra Seagrave by bludgeoning them to death in the driveway of his home in Crawley Down, West Sussex, during a psychotic episode after taking a powerful synthetic hallucinogenic drug. The incident occurred days before Christmas 2019. Seagrave was killed after intervening when she saw Appleton beating his wife outside their home. Appleton, a car mechanic, claimed no memory of killing Seagrave.

Pleaded guilty to killing both women but denied murder, claiming a psychotic episode; found guilty by jury. Judge Mr Justice Nicholas Hilliard QC stated it was not a case of insanity and emphasized responsibility for taking new psychoactive substances. 365 days on remand deducted from minimum term.

13 Jan 2020

September 2015 1 case

Mark Furnevel

Possession of indecent images of children *

Sentence

5 years imprisonment

Mark Furnevel, 46, of Dorset Gardens, Brighton, previously known as Mark Pyne, an unemployed man with a history of looking at child pornography, pleaded guilty to possessing five indecent images of young boys downloaded from the internet. Four of the images were at the highest level of seriousness. He also admitted breaching a sexual offences prevention order (SOPO) that restricted his access to children. The SOPO was first imposed in September 2004 at Central Sussex Magistrates’ Court following a non-custodial sentence for possession of indecent images. In April 2012, he was convicted of breaching the order by obtaining further images and received a 12-month community order. He was arrested again in 2013 for another breach, and court-authorized remote monitoring software on his computer detected further violations while on bail.

Pleaded guilty to possession of five indecent images of young boys and breaching a sexual offences prevention order. History of prior convictions for similar offences in 2004 and 2012. Also made subject of a sexual harm prevention order and registered as a sex offender indefinitely.

4 Sep 2015

August 2014 3 cases

Mark Mitchell

Robbery *

Sentence

5 years imprisonment

Mark Mitchell and Gemma Godfrey confronted a 20-year-old Brazilian student walking along Farm Road in Hove just after midnight on Tuesday 21 April. Mitchell threatened him with a knife and they stole £20 from him before running off. The victim flagged down a passing taxi driver who called the police. Officers searched the area and stopped Mitchell and Godfrey minutes later in Western Road.

Convicted after a five-day trial. Threatened victim with a knife during robbery.

15 Aug 2014

Gemma Godfrey

Robbery *

Sentence

4 years imprisonment

Convicted after a five-day trial. Participated in confronting and robbing the victim.

15 Aug 2014

Joshua Martyn

Fraud and theft *

Sentence

18 months imprisonment

Joshua Martyn, 21, from Somerhill Avenue, Hove, posed as a fake paramedic with no medical qualifications beyond a basic first aid course. He conned vulnerable elderly people by pretending to provide medical care, using purchased medical equipment and a marked paramedic vehicle. His activities began coming to police attention in 2010. In September 2011, he was arrested for defrauding and assaulting a 71-year-old woman in Warren Drive, Crawley, whom he lived with. While on bail, he committed further offences including assault and fraud. In 2012, he targeted a couple in their eighties in West Hoathly, leading to additional charges. He was involved in forging documents, theft, and battery against terminally ill victims.

Pleaded guilty to fraud and theft. Convicted after three years of investigation involving multiple offences against vulnerable elderly victims.

11 Aug 2014

September 2013 1 case

Harry Killick

Theft of firearm and ammunition *

Sentence

five years imprisonment

Corporal Harry Killick, 37, of Ambleside Avenue, Peacehaven, stole an SA80 rifle and live ammunition from his barracks. In October 2012, he went to his ex-girlfriend Jackie Lothian’s home in Ditchling armed with the rifle and ammunition, planning to kill himself. He confronted her brother Jason Lothian with the loaded weapon, terrifying him. The brother escaped and called police, and Killick complied without physical injury occurring. The judge noted Killick's broken marriage, breakup with girlfriend, and £20,000 debts as factors.

Admitted the offences but blamed post-traumatic stress disorder. Judge ruled his evidence about experiences in Afghanistan was false. Indefinite restraining order imposed not to contact ex-girlfriend or her brother.

4 Sep 2013

August 2013 1 case

Garry Hacker

Theft and fraud *

Sentence

3 years imprisonment

Garry Hacker, a 50-year-old insolvency practitioner from Lenham Avenue, Saltdean, stole £235,000 while working for Chantrey Vellacott, a firm of accountants in Boundary Road, Hove. The offences took place over ten years and came to light in February 2010 when another employee discovered the loss of a £5663.75 cheque. Hacker lied about the missing cheque, claiming it had been returned to a creditor as part of an internal fraud investigation. He abused his position of trust by redirecting funds to his own and other accounts under his control to support his high-maintenance lifestyle, despite earning a good salary and claiming legitimate expenses. Hacker was declared bankrupt in August 2010.

Admitted theft and fraud at Brighton Magistrates’ Court on Thursday 30 May. Judge Anthony Scott-Gall praised Detective Constable Dave Foster for the thoroughness of his investigation. Nominal confiscation order of £1 granted.

7 Aug 2013

May 2013 1 case

Lorna Murray

Possession of drugs with intent to supply *

Sentence

two-year suspended prison sentence

Lorna Murray was raided at her Modena Road home in August 2012, where police uncovered cocaine, MDMA, ketamine, diazepam, and cannabis worth £5,800. She admitted to seven counts of possession with intent to supply.

Admitted seven counts of possession of drugs with intent to supply. Later ordered to pay £91,634.33 under Proceeds of Crime Act or serve 12 months imprisonment if unpaid within three months; also ordered to pay £1,000 prosecution costs.

1 May 2013

June 2012 1 case

Jeremy Forrest

Child abduction and sexual activity with a child *

Sentence

5.5 years imprisonment

Married teacher Jeremy Forrest, aged 31, abducted his 15-year-old pupil from Bishop Bell C of E School in Eastbourne, East Sussex, and spent seven days on the run with her in France. The incident involved child abduction and five counts of sexual activity with a child.

Pleaded not guilty to abduction, raising a defence that he took the girl to France to prevent her from succumbing to suicidal tendencies. Judge Michael Lawson QC noted the evidence given by the girl varied from her original police interviews and was designed to support the defence. Sentenced for child abduction and five counts of sexual activity with a child.

1 Jun 2012

May 2012 1 case

Neil La Touche

Making indecent images of children *

Sentence

9 months imprisonment suspended for 2 years

Neil La Touche, a 36-year-old freelance computer engineer and former American Express employee, was arrested in November 2010 at his flat in Cromwell Road, Hove, following an intelligence-led investigation by Sussex Police's Paedophile On-Line Investigation Team. He had admitted to making more than 20,000 indecent images of children downloaded from the internet. There was no evidence of contact offending with children or that the images were of local children.

Pleaded guilty to making more than 20,000 indecent images of children. Placed under supervision for two years, served with a sexual offence prevention order restricting internet access, ordered to register as a sex offender for ten years, attend a sex offender treatment programme, and pay £300 court costs. Also ordered to carry out 200 hours of community service.

25 May 2012

December 2011 1 case

Charles Cawley

Making and possession of indecent images of children; attempting to pervert the course of justice *

Sentence

2 years imprisonment

In September 2010, Sussex Police Paedophile Online Investigation Team arrested Charles Cawley on suspicion of trying to influence witnesses in a trial for previous indecent image offences. Officers found a laptop at his address containing approximately 1,000 video and still images of the most serious child abuse. There was no evidence of actual offending with children by Cawley, direct or online. The offences came to light during the investigation into his attempts to pervert the course of justice.

Pleaded guilty to ten offences of making indecent images of children, four offences of having such images, and one offence of attempting to pervert the course of justice. 15 months for indecent image offences and 9 months for perverting the course of justice, to run consecutively. Made subject of a Sexual Offences Prevention Order and required to register as a sex offender for 10 years.

14 Dec 2011

October 2011 1 case

George Sithole

Murder *

Sentence

life imprisonment with a minimum of 17 years

On October 26, 2004, in the early hours, George Sithole, motivated by jealousy after his relationship with Siphenphile Mercy Mlalazi ended, purchased 1.8 litres of petrol and matches from a Tesco garage where he worked as a cleaner. He poured the petrol into an empty Coke bottle and went to the semi-detached house in Banks Road, Pound Hill, Crawley, West Sussex, where Ms Mlalazi was staying with the Sibanda family. Sithole set fire to the house, engulfing it in flames within minutes. Ms Mlalazi and Donald Sibanda escaped by jumping from their first-floor windows, but their six-year-old daughter Dumo Sibanda, whose bedroom was at the back, died from smoke inhalation despite resuscitation efforts by paramedics. Sithole stood outside unaffected, fled to South Africa, evaded justice for seven years, and was extradited to the UK on March 16, 2011.

Found guilty by jurors after more than two hours of deliberation. Judge Richard Brown described his account as 'appalling nonsense' and noted his lack of remorse, wicked and jealous behaviour, and intent to kill Mercy while putting other lives at risk. Prior relationship with victim Mercy ended, leading to accusations of cheating.

26 Oct 2011

July 2011 1 case

James Brown

Robbery *

Sentence

4 years and 8 weeks detention

James Brown, 18, of Dyke Road, Brighton, carried out five armed robberies between Thursday 27 January and Tuesday 1 February in locations including Station Street, New Dorset Street, St Nicholas Road, Pelham Street in Brighton, and Hove Park Villas in Hove. He approached victims from behind, threatened to stab them, wore a hooded top and hid his face with a scarf, stealing cash, phones, a wallet, and a purse.

Pleaded guilty to five charges of robbery and five charges of having a knife. Sentences for robberies and knife offences to run concurrently. Previously had an eight-week suspended sentence for car crime, activated and to be served consecutively. Prior sentence in April last year for robbery and having a knife.

22 Jul 2011

June 2011 2 cases

Al Amin Dhalla

Stalking *

Sentence

Indeterminate imprisonment with minimum term of 6 years

Al Amin Dhalla, a 42-year-old Canadian bank auditor based in London, met trainee doctor Alison Hewitt in November 2009 through an online dating agency. They started dating in early 2010, and he moved into her Brighton home. After she ended the relationship in December 2010 due to his lies about his age, origins, and background, Dhalla began a four-month campaign of stalking and harassment against her and her mother Pamela Hewitt. He bombarded Miss Hewitt with obsessive messages, sent malicious letters to her employers, and hired a private detective to follow her. He set fire to Pamela Hewitt's home near Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire, using accelerants, and attempted to set fire to a nearby police station. Dhalla equipped himself with weapons including an air rifle, BB pistol, two modified mini crossbows, and ammunition, and adapted a van for potential kidnapping. He was spotted practicing target shooting near Chippenham, Wiltshire, and his van contained tools, weapons, and navigation programmed to victims' addresses. He masqueraded as a doctor at Princess Royal Hospital in Haywards Heath to locate Miss Hewitt. Arrested twice, the second time by armed police. The campaign involved arson, aggravated harassment, theft, criminal damage, and perverting the course of justice.

Pleaded not guilty, found guilty by jury in February. Judge Charles Kemp noted narcissistic personality, rejected stalker, high risk of reoffending. Orders to destroy weapons and restraining order issued. To be deported to Canada after sentence. Already served 14 months on remand.

29 Jun 2011

Peter Foster

Murder *

Sentence

life imprisonment with a minimum term of 17 years

Peter Foster murdered his partner, Detective Constable Heather Cooper, on October 16, 2010, at their home in Haslemere, Surrey, while she was on maternity leave with their second child, Isabel, who was three months old. The attack began after an argument following a christening, escalating when Cooper allegedly swiped at him with a knife. Foster hit her over the head 10 times with a baseball bat and then stabbed her in the throat, rendering her unconscious before the stabbing. The couple's children, Joshua (three years old) and Isabel, were present during the attack. Foster cleaned the blood-soaked scene, hid Cooper's body in a shallow grave in Blackdown Woods near Lurgashall, West Sussex, covered with bracken, and attempted to create an alibi by sending misleading text messages claiming Cooper had left him due to an affair. He took the children to his grandmother's house and confessed to police, leading them to the body. Post-mortem showed injuries inconsistent with self-defence, suggesting self-inflicted wounds on Foster.

Pleaded guilty to murder. Described by Judge Richard Brown as an extremely dangerous individual. Aggravating factors included the attack occurring in front of the couple's children, defendant's martial arts training, and use of two weapons. Prior conviction for drink driving and dangerous driving in 2010.

28 Jun 2011

April 2011 2 cases

Lee Johnson

Possession of controlled drugs with intent to supply *

Sentence

4 years imprisonment

Lee Johnson was arrested on 6 December 2010 after a police stop and search in Brighton where drugs and nearly £7,000 cash were found on him. His home was searched, revealing a substantial amount of drugs. An electricity bill in a false name led police to a rented unit at Town House Farm in Thakeham, where a cannabis factory and large quantities of cannabis resin, skunk cannabis, herbal cannabis, cocaine, amphetamine, ecstasy, and other drugs with a street value of about £45,000 were discovered. Johnson had rented the building for seven years using cash and a false identity.

Pleaded guilty to 12 charges of having controlled class A, B and C drugs with intent to supply and two charges of producing a class B drug. Also ordered to pay £66,000 under Proceeds of Crime Act within 6 months or serve additional 18 months.

14 Apr 2011

Francis Bridgeman

Perverting the course of justice *

Sentence

12 months imprisonment

Francis Bridgeman, a 43-year-old city lawyer, crashed his Land Rover Sport into a telegraph pole in Shovers Green, Ticehurst, East Sussex, at about 1am on April 7, 2010, while over the drink-drive limit. To avoid arrest, he fabricated a story of being kidnapped by armed men from Wadhurst railway station car park, driven off at knifepoint with a bag over his head, and dumped in Cousley Wood. Police found his DNA on the airbag, CCTV showed him drunk at London Bridge station, and his breath test confirmed he was just over the limit. He was charged with perverting the course of justice, drink-driving, driving without due care and attention, and failing to report a road accident.

Banned from driving for 18 months and ordered to pay £4,200 costs. Pleaded not guilty; jury found him guilty after a five-day trial. Judge commented on wasting police time and public expense, and quoted Sir Walter Scott's poem Marmion.

7 Apr 2011

September 2010 1 case

Babak Iran

Perverting the course of justice *

Sentence

7 years imprisonment

Babak Iran, father of Sean and Navid Iran, helped cover up the murder of Stefan Welch by assisting in the disposal and burning of the body on the golf course at The Dyke Golf Club, discovered on 4 September 2009.

Father of Sean and Navid Iran, assisted his son in covering up the murder after it occurred.

6 Sep 2010

Disclaimer: The information on this page is compiled from publicly available court records and published media reports. It is provided strictly for general informational purposes and does not constitute legal advice, nor should it be relied upon as a definitive record of any individual's criminal history or legal status.

Offence names marked with an asterisk (*) reflect descriptions used in media reporting and may not correspond to the formal legal charge or indictment. Sentencing details are as reported and may be subject to subsequent appeal, variation, or correction by the courts.

All individuals are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. The presence of a name on this page does not imply guilt, and some listed individuals may have had convictions overturned, sentences reduced, or charges withdrawn after the date of publication.

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182 High St, Lewes BN7 1YB, Lewes, BN7 1YB, United Kingdom

+441273480400

Wheelchair accessible entrance

Monday - Friday: 08:30 - 16:30

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About Lewes Crown Court

Lewes Crown Court, located in Lewes, is a Crown Court that handles serious criminal cases including murder, rape, robbery, and other indictable offences. With 107 sentencing records in our database, it is one of the Crown Courts serving the Lewes area. Crown Courts sit with a judge and jury, and have the power to impose the full range of sentences available under UK law.

The court can be found at 182 High St, Lewes BN7 1YB, BN7 1YB.

Accessibility provisions at this court include wheelchair accessible entrance.

For enquiries about cases heard at this court, you can contact the court by telephone on +441273480400.

All sentencing information published on this page has been sourced from publicly-available records and verified by our editorial team. If you believe any information is inaccurate or should be removed, you can submit a removal request directly from the relevant listing above.

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Lewes Crown Court Sentencing Results

Alyn Matless

Stephen Mcgarry

Tobias Kingsley Dynes

Thomas Waeling

Arnand Rruci

Chris Moodey

Shareef Mohammed Ruhomally

Attila Kolompar

Edward Phillips

Michael Clark

Lauren Bishop

Rachel Suarez

Bruce Ernest Geoffery Schooley

Marian Suchodolinsky

Kane Lawrence

Joseph Lavelle

Matthew Taylor

Philip Olliver

David Mould

Anthony Coates

William Westein

Ryan Selby

Monique Moss

Brett Ford

Sally Ann Dixon

Katie Price

Charlie Jones

Michael Tizzard

Christopher Fenton

Jennie Johnson

Rhys Kersey

Mark Stevens

Daniel Appleton

Mark Furnevel

Mark Mitchell

Gemma Godfrey

Joshua Martyn

Harry Killick

Garry Hacker

Lorna Murray

Jeremy Forrest

Neil La Touche

Charles Cawley

George Sithole

James Brown

Al Amin Dhalla

Peter Foster

Lee Johnson

Francis Bridgeman

Babak Iran

About Lewes Crown Court

Nearby Courts

Brighton Magistrates Court

Worthing Magistrates Court

Crawley Magistrates Court

Hastings Magistrates Court

Sevenoaks Magistrates Court

Croydon Magistrates Court

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