Lewes Crown Court Sentencing Results

On 26 July 2023, at about 7:45pm in Upperton Road, Eastbourne, Sharon Abraham, driving a grey Lexus at an estimated 52mph in a 30mph zone, struck 75-year-old victim on a zebra crossing. Abraham paused momentarily but then drove off, leaving the victim fatally injured at the scene. He failed to report the accident. The next morning, he purchased a cover for his car to conceal the damage. He was arrested 16 hours after the collision. Abraham had passed his UK driving test only hours earlier, having previously held a driving licence abroad for nine years. He pleaded guilty to causing death by dangerous driving.

Steven Shevlin, 34, of Stoney Lane, Shoreham, a registered sex offender, was stopped near Arundel last November by the Specialist Enforcement Unit acting on intelligence from the Violent Sex Offender Register Team. He was driving a Ford Transit that he had failed to register with police, breaching a sexual harm prevention order imposed in 2020. The vehicle had false number plates, and he was driving without insurance. A search of the vehicle uncovered cannabis, an extendable baton, and a knuckle duster. Shevlin failed a roadside drug test and subsequently refused to provide a blood specimen for analysis. He admitted the breach, as well as driving with false plates and without insurance, possession of cannabis and weapons, and refusing a blood test. The court heard that he had a history of drug use, sexual offending including acts of indecency and exposure, violence, and prior possession of weapons.

Walter Ulndreaj, along with Donat Kurtaj, was involved in running a cannabis farm at a unit on the Riverside Industrial Estate, Bridge Road, Littlehampton. On 12 January 2024, police attended and found more than 1,000 cannabis plants and cultivation equipment. Both were arrested at the premises. They admitted cultivating cannabis.

William Yates ran The Annex, a membership-only forum which hosted a number of areas dedicated to child sexual abuse. The site worked by promoting users from guests to members by live chat participation and sharing imagery.

William Mousdell, 49, of Beeches Crescent in Crawley, was arrested at his home on 14 December 2022 after police linked his address to the uploading of indecent images of children to the internet. Several devices were seized and found to contain thousands of indecent images, including hundreds of Category A moving and still images. Some of the images were non-sexual pictures of children known to him, which had been edited to appear to show sexual and violent acts. He was convicted of three counts of making or possessing indecent images of children.

On 3 January 2024, Zac Brazil entered a property in Pengelly Gardens, Littlehampton, armed with a knife and threatened the residents. Later the same day, he entered a property in Ravenscroft, Storrington, threatened a woman with a knife causing minor injuries, then stamped on her glasses damaging them. When arrested, he was found in possession of cannabis. The previous day he had driven while disqualified and without insurance.

Gary Barney, 49, forced his way into a property on Sutton Avenue, Peacehaven, on the afternoon of 3 July 2023. He carried out a vicious, sustained attack on a 78-year-old man inside, causing head and body injuries. A 45-year-old woman who tried to call police was also assaulted and suffered serious injuries. Barney was arrested minutes after the attack and subsequently charged with causing grievous bodily harm with intent and attempted grievous bodily harm with intent.

Geoffrey Lower, 76, of Stanmer Villas, Brighton, conducted a months-long campaign of stalking and harassment against three women aged between 24 and 51 from March to December 2025. He sent graphic messages, numerous voicemails, and made uninvited visits to their homes, despite clear rejections. The harassment caused serious fear and distress, leading one victim to change her working arrangements and work from home. Lower claimed he believed the women were interested in relationships with him. He was arrested and charged following a Sussex Police investigation.

Donat Kurtaj, along with Walter Ulndreaj, was involved in running a cannabis farm at a unit on the Riverside Industrial Estate, Bridge Road, Littlehampton. On 12 January 2024, police attended and found more than 1,000 cannabis plants and cultivation equipment. Both were arrested at the premises. They admitted cultivating cannabis.

On 8 October 2022, Barry Brown, a member of the Hell’s Angels Motorcycle Club, joined an attack on a Vikings Motorcycle Club member on Findon Road, Findon. After the victim was stabbed by Callum Shaw, Brown kicked and stamped on him. The victim sustained life-threatening injuries. Brown was convicted of violent disorder and actual bodily harm.

On 9 September 2017, Benjamin Bosden, 20, drove a Mini Countryman on the A267 near Cross-In-Hand after consuming alcohol, with blood alcohol levels well over the legal limit. He reached speeds of over 110 mph on a 60 mph road, crossing into the opposite lane and colliding head-on with a Ford Ranger carrying the two victims. Both died at the scene, and their 18-year-old passenger survived but suffered life-threatening injuries. Bosden's speedometer was found stuck at 112 mph.

Ashkan Zahedian, sole director of Vast Cars Limited, attacked a security guard at a bar with a machete. He pleaded guilty in May 2020 to grievous bodily harm and possession of an offensive weapon.

Ashley Sceal, a haulier, failed to secure farm equipment safely to a Scania lorry. While driving on the B2102 Lewes Road in Blackboys, near Uckfield, on 12 September 2022, the machinery detached from the flatbed trailer and fell onto an oncoming car, causing a 61-year-old teaching assistant to suffer life-changing injuries. He was found to be over the drug-driving limit for benzoylecgonine with 168 micrograms per litre of blood, exceeding the legal limit of 50 micrograms.

Christopher John Roberts utilised proximity and manipulation to commit sexual violations against his targets. Following a protracted trial at Lewes Crown Court, he received a 13-year sentence as a high-risk sex offender. He died in custody in 2025 from advanced-stage cancer while serving the sentence at HMP Isle of Wight.

David James Clarke, 82, a former teacher at Newlands School in Seaford, East Sussex, was found guilty of 45 counts of child sexual abuse against 14 former pupils. While running the school's photography club, he isolated boys in the dark room, starting with hugging and having them sit on his lap, then progressing to touching their genitals over and under clothing, mutual masturbation, oral sex, and buggery. He also made indecent images of children found on his computer.