Sussex’s judges, juries and magistrates were busy in February.
These are some of the most serious, high profile and prolific offenders who were jailed in the second month of 2024.
All information comes directly from Sussex Police.
5. Locked up in Sussex: These are some of the criminals jailed in February 2024
A burglary suspect has been sentenced for an offence at London Gatwick. Lloyd Edwards admitted stealing a wallet containing cash and cards worth £100 from a premises at the North Terminal. Edwards, 37, unemployed and formerly of Haywood Street, Southwark, entered a premises at 8pm on February 10 last year. He stole the wallet from a staff area and later made purchases at a convenience store. At Lewes Crown Court on January 19 he admitted burglary of a commercial premises and was sentenced to eight months in prison. Photo: Sussex Police
6. Locked up in Sussex: These are some of the criminals jailed in February 2024
A burglary suspect has been sentenced for an offence at London Gatwick. Savin Costel-Alexandru broke into a premises in the South Terminal to steal cigarettes after failing to gain access to a cash register. Costel-Alexandru, 29, of no fixed address, broke into a premises in the South Terminal at 11.15pm on December 17 last year. He attempted to prise open a cash register, before taking cigarettes and leaving the airport. At Crawley Magistrates’ Court on January 30 he admitted burglary from a commercial premises and was sentenced to six months in prison. Photo: Sussex Police
7. Locked up in Sussex: These are some of the criminals jailed in February 2024
A man has been sentenced after causing life changing injuries to a woman in Brighton. On July 16, 2022, Lewis Hilton was out drinking with friends in Brighton. He was also under the influence of cocaine, having admitted to taking a large quantity before leaving his house, and taking further amounts throughout the evening. At around 3am, a friend in the group decided it was time to head home for the night and arranged to get a lift from Baker Street. Hilton was agitated by this and made attempts to prevent her leaving. As the friend was about to enter the vehicle to take her home, Hilton launched the contents of a pint glass he was holding at her, covering her with alcohol. Seconds later, Hilton whipped the glass in her direction, striking her in the face. The victim fell to the floor and was immediately aware of a large gash to her forehead. She was taken to hospital where it was found that she also sustained a skull fracture and two bleeds on the brain. After reporting the incident to police, Lewis Hilton, 26, of Craven Road, Brighton was arrested on July 27, 2022, and later charged with grievous bodily harm. At his trial in August 2023, he was found guilty of the offence, and was sentenced on January 11 to five years imprisonment and also given a five year restraining order. Photo: Sussex Police
8. Locked up in Sussex: These are some of the criminals jailed in February 2024
A man who subjected a young girl to ‘appalling crimes for his own gratification’ in West Sussex has been jailed. Mark Rumbol, 58 – a scrap dealer of Hewelsfield in Wales – appeared in court in December to face charges of sexual abuse against a teenage girl in Rustington. After the abuse was reported to Sussex Police, Rumbol was arrested while his victim was supported by specialist officers. “He was subsequently charged with rape, two counts of sexual assault, two counts of assault by penetration and one count of inciting a girl to engage in sexual activity (no penetration),” a police spokesperson said. “At Lewes Crown Court on December 18, he was found guilty of all charges except rape, of which he was found not guilty. At the same court on Friday, January 26, Rumbol was jailed for 11 years and ordered to sign the Sex Offenders’ Register for life.” Rumbol was also given a restraining order and an indefinite Sexual Harm Prevention Order – ‘significantly reducing his ability to offend’. Photo: Sussex Police