Lewes Crown Court Sentencing Results

Explore 341 verdicts at Lewes Crown Court (Lewes). Updated with the latest court outcomes.

January 2024 1 case

Dean Thompson

Online sexual offences against children *

Sentence

6 years imprisonment

Dean Thompson, 24, of Hamilton Close, Portslade, groomed young girls aged between 11 and 15 years via social media including Facebook, Kick and Skype, and by texting, inciting them to perform sexual acts online and attempting to meet them for sex. The offences occurred since 2010, with most victims local to the area and one from outside Sussex. There was no physical contact or meetings with victims. The offending came to light in 2012 after messaging a 12-year-old girl, leading to arrest but insufficient evidence initially; a further victim in 2013 provided leads confirming contact with multiple girls.

Admitted three counts of attempting to meet a child under 16 years, two counts of inciting a girl under 16 years to watch something sexual, five counts of inciting five girls under the age of 16 to engage in sexual behaviour and two counts of offering to supply cocaine to two separate girls under 16 years. Also given a Sexual Offence Prevention Order (SOPO) for life and will be a registered sex offender for life on release.

12 Jan 2024

December 2023 1 case

Richard Sutton

Money laundering *

Sentence

12 months imprisonment suspended for 18 months and 200 hours unpaid work

Richard Sutton was stopped by police on Friday 30 December 2022 while driving into Brighton from London on the A23 at Pyecombe, where he was found with £9,900 in cash. He could not explain the source of the money, had no legitimate income and was on benefits. Examination of his mobile phones revealed messages indicating involvement in drug dealing. A search of his home uncovered evidence of a drug habit. The cash was determined to be proceeds of drug-related crime.

Pleaded guilty to money laundering. Judge David Rennie issued a confiscation order for £9,900. Prior convictions for burglary and drug-related offences taken into account. Judge warned that any breach would result in imprisonment.

4 Dec 2023

November 2023 8 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

Jason Newsom

Wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm *

Sentence

5 years imprisonment

Jason Newsom, 35, of Preston Drove, Brighton, stabbed his girlfriend Tyi Denton in the body, back and legs with a 10in chef’s knife after she threatened to leave him. He also tried to strangle and smother her. The attack took place in April 2023 at Denton’s flat in South Coast Road, Peacehaven, which the couple shared. She left the flat and went to a nearby sandwich shop where staff called for an ambulance upon seeing her bloodstained clothes. Newsom left the scene but was found and arrested four days later. He also admitted causing her actual bodily harm in an attack at their previous home in Lorna Road, Hove, towards the end of 2022, which came to light during the investigation by the Sussex Police Anti-Victimisation Unit.

Pleaded guilty to wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm and causing actual bodily harm. Given an indefinite restraining order preventing contact with the victim. Changed plea to guilty on the first day of trial after initially denying charges.

8 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

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

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

October 2023 9 cases

Joshua Brinkley

Arson *

Sentence

3 years imprisonment

Joshua Brinkley, aged 20 of Southfield in Polegate, and Connor Luck deliberately started multiple arson fires across Sussex between June and November 2021, targeting abandoned buildings, agricultural barns, farmland, haybales, and a vehicle, causing extensive damage and disruption estimated at £1,117,825. The incidents included a blaze at a derelict property in Horsham on 26 June 2021, a fire in Wivelsfield Green on 8 July 2021, outbuildings in Lower Willingdon on 29 August 2021, a barn in Beddingham on 2 November 2021, hay bales in Rathfinny on 4 November 2021, barns in Tarring Neville on 6 November 2021, a silver Vauxhall Corsa in Ringmer on 7 November 2021, and haybales near Litlington Road in Seaford on 7 November 2021. All fires were confirmed as arson. Brinkley was charged with seven counts of arson. The attacks were committed for amusement, resulting in loss of a season's feed and bedding for farmers, with no serious injuries but potential for tragedy.

Pleaded guilty at an earlier hearing. Ordered to pay a victim surcharge.

30 Oct 2023

Connor Luck

Arson *

Sentence

21 months imprisonment suspended for 2 years

Connor Luck, aged 21 of School Lane in Blackboys, and Joshua Brinkley deliberately started multiple arson fires across Sussex between June and November 2021, targeting abandoned buildings, agricultural barns, farmland, haybales, and a vehicle, causing extensive damage and disruption estimated at £1,117,825. The incidents included a blaze at a derelict property in Horsham on 26 June 2021, a fire in Wivelsfield Green on 8 July 2021, outbuildings in Lower Willingdon on 29 August 2021, a barn in Beddingham on 2 November 2021, hay bales in Rathfinny on 4 November 2021, barns in Tarring Neville on 6 November 2021, a silver Vauxhall Corsa in Ringmer on 7 November 2021, and haybales near Litlington Road in Seaford on 7 November 2021. All fires were confirmed as arson. Luck was charged with two counts of arson. The attacks were committed for amusement, resulting in loss of a season's feed and bedding for farmers, with no serious injuries but potential for tragedy.

Pleaded guilty. Ordered to undertake 200 hours of unpaid work in the community, attend 25 rehabilitation days, and serve an electronically monitored curfew between 8.00 pm and 6.00 am for 3 months. Ordered to pay a victim surcharge.

30 Oct 2023

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

David Lyn Jenkins

Sexual abuse *

Sentence

4 years imprisonment

David Lyn Jenkins abused one boy between 2005 and 2009, when the child was aged between nine and 13, and another 13-year-old in 1968. He had previously been involved with the Boy’s Brigade and organised schoolboy football coaching between 1995 and 2000. He lived at Heather Walk, in Smallfield, Surrey, at the time of the offence in 2009.

Admitted four counts of sexual abuse. Will be added to the sex offenders’ register and banned from having contact with boys under 16 for the rest of his life. Will be under close supervision for five years after his release.

18 Oct 2023

Aaron Wadman

Possession of cannabis with intent to supply *

Sentence

12 months imprisonment

Aaron Wadman, 20, of Freshfield Road, Brighton, was involved in supplying cannabis. He was caught when police stopped a vehicle he owned, which linked him to Matthew Bishop. This was part of a long investigation by Sussex Police into cannabis distribution in the area.

Admitted having the drug with intent to supply. Confiscation order made; accepted making £5,200 from dealing cannabis and ordered to repay £1,290 (value of his car and cash seized).

8 Oct 2023

Matthew Bishop

Being concerned in the supply of cannabis *

Sentence

15 months imprisonment

Matthew Bishop, 22, of Carden Hill, Brighton, was involved in supplying cannabis. He was linked to Aaron Wadman after police stopped Wadman's vehicle. This was part of a long investigation by Sussex Police into cannabis distribution in the area.

Pleaded guilty to being concerned in the supply of cannabis. Confiscation order made; accepted making £5,150 from dealing cannabis and ordered to repay £2,350 (value of cash seized from his house).

8 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

Mohammed Abusetta

GBH *

Sentence

21 months imprisonment

Mohammed Abusetta, 26, of no fixed address, broke a 27-year-old man's eye socket after a minor verbal altercation on the Kingsway near the West Pier in Brighton at around 6pm on June 10, 2023. The victim, from Kent, was punched in the face during the vicious daytime attack provoked by nothing more than an exchange of words.

Pleaded guilty to GBH on August 28. Faces deportation as a result.

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

September 2023 2 cases

Marlena Meczynska-Shiibashi

Causing grievous bodily harm with intent *

Sentence

7 years imprisonment

On March 4, 2023, in a home in Hastings, Marlena Meczynska-Shiibashi, 38, from Mount Pleasant Road, carried out a vicious unprovoked attack on a man she knew while he was trying to sleep. She grabbed a kitchen knife and stabbed him multiple times, including in the leg, and poured bleach into his eyes. When police arrived, she admitted, 'I didn’t just stab him in the leg you know, I poured bleach in his eyes.' The victim suffered severe trauma, including flashbacks, anxiety, and depression.

Admitted to causing grievous bodily harm with intent. Must serve at least two-thirds before parole. On licence for 4 years after release due to ongoing danger to the public. Judge found the attack unprovoked despite her claims of provocation.

13 Sep 2023

Ronald Coggins

Indecent assault *

Sentence

6.5 years imprisonment

Ronald Coggins sexually groomed two girls, aged 14 and 15, into full sexual relationships by allowing them to ride his horses at Waterhall and a local stables. The offences occurred between August 1986 and June 1988.

Placed on the Sex Offenders’ Register and made the subject of a Sexual Offences Prevention Order. Judge Richard Hayward described it as an appalling breach of trust.

1 Sep 2023

August 2023 5 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

Justin Hurst

Money laundering *

Sentence

18 months imprisonment

Justin Hurst, 39, of Bramble Rise, Westdene, Brighton, was involved in drug dealing and money laundering. He made more than £120,000 from selling cannabis. He was caught by Sussex Police after a tip-off. Officers stopped his BMW car in The Drive in Hove and searched his car and home, finding cannabis, weapons, almost £5,800 cash, and notebooks with records of transactions.

Pleaded guilty to money laundering. Made more than £120,000 from selling cannabis. Cash seized by police ordered to be confiscated.

19 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

George Roy Balcombe Jestico

Distributing, making and possessing indecent images of children and sexual assault *

Sentence

7 years imprisonment

George Roy Balcombe Jestico, 64, of Vale Road, Portslade, was involved in distributing, making, and possessing indecent images of children over a period of years, up to four times a week for the past three years prior to his arrest. A warrant was executed at his home on 26 October 2008 based on intelligence. He lived alone and admitted these offences upon arrest. Additionally, he sexually assaulted a female victim more than 30 years ago, investigated by Brighton and Hove’s Child Protection Team. He was charged with four counts of distributing images, five of making, five of possession, and 14 counts of sexual assault.

Admitted to distributing, making, and possessing indecent images of children. Denied sexual assault charges but found guilty on all 14 counts by a jury. Given a sexual offences prevention order and placed on the Sex Offenders Register for life.

13 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

July 2023 2 cases

Jonathan Wenham

Causing death by dangerous driving *

Sentence

6 years 6 months imprisonment

Jonathan Wenham, 40, of Ridgeside Avenue, Patcham, was over the drink-drive limit when he crashed his light blue BMW into a tree in Grand Parade, Brighton, near the junction with Morley Street, at about 6.45am on Friday 21 January 2023. One of his three passengers, Nicholas Messenger, 28, of Old Kent Road, London, died as a result of the crash. Wenham knew prior to setting off that he was above the drink-drive limit, which seriously affected his ability to drive.

Admitted causing death by dangerous driving and making a false statement to obtain insurance. Disqualified from driving for 5 years and required to take an extended retest.

22 Jul 2023

Stephen May

Theft, racially aggravated assault, affray, possession of a knife *

Sentence

21 months imprisonment

Stephen May, 36, was sentenced for multiple offenses including stealing a Boursin cheese from the Co-op in High Street, Shoreham, a racially aggravated assault at the start of last year, affray, and possession of a knife in Railway Approach, Worthing, shortly before Christmas 2024. He was later wanted on recall to prison for breaching the terms of his licence and was arrested following a public appeal by Sussex Police.

Pleaded guilty to stealing a Boursin cheese from the Co-op in High Street, Shoreham, racially aggravated assault at the start of last year, affray and having a knife in Railway Approach, Worthing, shortly before Christmas 2024. Sentenced by Judge Christine Laing, the honorary recorder of Brighton and Hove.

1 Jul 2023

June 2023 2 cases

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

Charlie Pitcairn

Causing grievous bodily harm *

Sentence

eight years and eight months in prison

Charlie Pitcairn entered a house on Border Road, Haslemere, on April 22, 2023, and repeatedly stabbed his victim five times in the thigh while he slept in an unprovoked and frenzied attack. The victim and suspect were known to each other. Pitcairn fled the scene, went on the run for two days triggering an extensive police search involving drones, search dogs, and the police helicopter, before handing himself in to police.

Pleaded guilty to causing grievous bodily harm. Judge described him as a 'highly dangerous' individual.

19 Jun 2023

May 2023 1 case

Graham Cleaver

Indecent assault and attempted rape *

Sentence

10 years imprisonment

Graham Cleaver, 59, from Eastbourne, was convicted of four counts of indecent assault against a girl aged 15 to 17, occurring at an address in Hove between 1972 and 1974. He was also convicted of six counts of indecent assault and one count of attempted rape against a girl aged 7 to 12, occurring at his home in Dovedale Gardens, Eastbourne, between 1994 and 1999. He knew both victims before the attacks began. The offences came to light in 2011 when the older victim reported them.

Convicted after an eight-day trial. Denied everything throughout the proceedings. This was a retrial following a previous jury's failure to agree and acquittal on one count of rape.

19 May 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

January 2023 2 cases

David Sole

Murder *

Sentence

Life imprisonment with minimum term of 18 years

David Sole, 33, battered to death a 48-year-old disabled man, Jon Ellison, in his flat in Gloucester Street, Brighton. Sole was staying with his victim, who was described as kind and trusting. The assault was motiveless but brutal, drug and drink-fuelled, causing severe injuries. Friends found Ellison's body in the bedroom of his flat at 2.10am on Friday 15 April last year. Sole was arrested in Winchester the next day.

Convicted of murder by a jury after a two-week trial.

23 Jan 2023

Denise Antonia

Helping an offender *

Sentence

5 years imprisonment

Denise Antonia, of Appledore Road, Moulsecoomb, helped David Sole after he murdered Jon Ellison in his flat in Gloucester Street, Brighton. She was present at the scene and assisted Sole's flight. Sole and Antonia were arrested in Winchester the day after the body was found on 15 April last year.

Sole's former girlfriend, present at the scene and assisted his flight.

23 Jan 2023

December 2022 2 cases

Farzana Kausar

Holding a person in slavery or servitude *

Sentence

6 years and 8 months imprisonment

Over a 16-year period, Farzana Kausar subjected a vulnerable woman to physical, psychological, and financial abuse, forcing her to work as an unpaid domestic servant in Kausar's home, cooking, cleaning, and looking after her children. Kausar took full control of the victim's passport and finances, withdrew money from bank accounts opened in the victim's name, and made benefit claims on the victim's behalf which she kept for herself. In May 2019, Kausar was arrested by Sussex Police on suspicion of Modern Slavery offences and released on conditional bail. She then attempted to pervert the course of justice by forcing the victim to write a letter to the police asking for the charges to be withdrawn.

Found guilty of one count of holding a person in slavery or servitude and one count of perverting the course of justice. Later ordered to pay back more than £205,000 under Proceeds of Crime Act or face additional 30-month prison sentence; £198,776 allocated to victim via Slavery and Trafficking Reparation Order.

21 Dec 2022

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 2 cases

Derry Maher

Sexual abuse offences *

Sentence

18-year prison sentence

Derry Maher committed 12 sexual abuse offences against two teenage boys in Brighton between 1990 and 1998, ranging from indecent assault to buggery and rape. One victim was 11 when the abuse started and it continued until he was 18. The second victim was 15 when the assaults began and continued until he was 18. The victims, from local families, were known to each other and had been systematically groomed and assaulted by Maher over several years. The offending came to light two years ago when a conversation between the victims about Maher, who was still associating with one of the families, led them to realise each had been victimised, prompting them to contact the police.

Found guilty at the end of a two-week trial. Found not guilty of another charge of indecent assault against another boy.

6 Nov 2022

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 3 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

Napindi Palu

Sexual assault *

Sentence

four years and a day imprisonment with an indeterminate extension

Napindi Palu, 30, broke into a ground floor flat in Varndean Road, Brighton, early in the morning of Wednesday 4 May, having travelled down from London. The 65-year-old woman who lived in the flat woke to find Palu going through her handbag in her bedroom. He sexually assaulted her before she managed to escape and ran out of her flat to raise the alarm. Police arrested Palu at his home in Thurtle Road in Bethnal Green, London, two days later and he was charged with the offences the next day and remanded in custody.

Admitted two charges of sexual assault and one of attempted burglary. Deemed dangerous and posing a high risk to the public; must be assessed as posing no risk before release.

5 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

December 2021 1 case

Patrick Foley

Rape *

Sentence

15 years imprisonment

Patrick Foley raped a girl he knew between 1968 and 1975 when she was between the ages of 11 and 18.

Found guilty of seven counts of rape by a jury. Sentenced by Judge Anthony Scott-Gall.

22 Dec 2021

August 2021 1 case

Verphy Kudi

Manslaughter *

Sentence

9 years imprisonment

Verphy Kudi left her 20-month-old daughter Asiah alone and uncared for in their flat on Islingword Road, Brighton, from 5 December 2019 (her 18th birthday) until 11 December 2019. During this period, she travelled to London and then to a birthday party in Coventry with friends, before returning to Brighton via London. Asiah was found unresponsive on 11 December 2019 and taken by ambulance to the Royal Alexandra Children's Hospital in Brighton, where she was confirmed dead soon after arrival. A postmortem and forensic tests determined the cause of death as neglect.

Pleaded guilty to manslaughter in March hearing. Investigation revealed she left her daughter alone from 5 December to 11 December 2019.

6 Aug 2021

July 2021 1 case

Carl Stocker

Robbery *

Sentence

10 years imprisonment

Carl Stocker committed a series of offences over a 12-month period. On May 5th, 2020, he was detained after running from officers and found with eight wraps of crack cocaine and cash, arrested for possession with intent to supply and offering to supply crack cocaine. On April 29th, 2021, he approached a Hermes delivery driver on Menzies Road, St Leonards, tricked her, stole her van and her bag containing bank cards which were later used fraudulently. The next day, he robbed a Co-op store in Battle Road, St Leonards, by leaping over the counter, threatening to stab a shop worker, stealing £500 in cigarettes and £200 in cash, and was found in possession of heroin during arrest.

Pleaded guilty to two robberies, assault, fraud and drug offences.

13 Jul 2021

May 2021 2 cases

Jennifer Johnson

Perjury and perverting the course of justice *

Sentence

six years in prison

Jennifer Johnson, Russell Bishop's girlfriend at the time of the 1986 murders, lied under oath during Bishop's 1987 trial at Lewes Crown Court about never having seen a blue Pinto sweatshirt that linked Bishop to the crime, and alleged her witness statement confirming ownership was forged by police.

Found guilty of perjury and perverting the course of justice for lying about a sweatshirt belonging to Russell Bishop during the 1987 trial. Did not attend the sentencing hearing.

19 May 2021

John Davis

Rape *

Sentence

18 years custody

John Davis committed child sex offences in St Leonards over a period of two years, sexually abusing two girls known to him who were both under ten when the abuse first began. He was investigated by safeguarding detectives and unanimously found guilty by a jury of all 17 offences on November 27th, 2020, after a three-week trial. The victims gave evidence by video recording and faced cross-examination, with court measures to minimise the impact.

Convicted of 17 offences including four counts of rape, two of attempted rape, eight counts of sexual assault, two of engaging in sexual activity and one of causing a child to watch images of sexual activity. Further seven years on extended prison licence supervision. Registered sex offender for life. Given a Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO) severely restricting access to children and digital communication devices.

17 May 2021

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 341 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

Dean Thompson

Richard Sutton

Chris Moodey

Shareef Mohammed Ruhomally

Jason Newsom

Attila Kolompar

Edward Phillips

Lauren Bishop

Rachel Suarez

Michael Clark

Joshua Brinkley

Connor Luck

Bruce Ernest Geoffery Schooley

David Lyn Jenkins

Aaron Wadman

Matthew Bishop

Marian Suchodolinsky

Mohammed Abusetta

Kane Lawrence

Marlena Meczynska-Shiibashi

Ronald Coggins

Joseph Lavelle

Justin Hurst

Matthew Taylor

George Roy Balcombe Jestico

Philip Olliver

Jonathan Wenham

Stephen May

David Mould

Charlie Pitcairn

Graham Cleaver

Anthony Coates

David Sole

Denise Antonia

Farzana Kausar

William Westein

Derry Maher

Ryan Selby

Monique Moss

Brett Ford

Sally Ann Dixon

Napindi Palu

Katie Price

Charlie Jones

Michael Tizzard

Patrick Foley

Verphy Kudi

Carl Stocker

Jennifer Johnson

John Davis

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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