In a shocking event that rattled the Mile Oak neighbourhood, two men have been convicted and sentenced for their roles in a petrol bombing incident and related drug charges. The unsettling episode unfolded just before 11 pm on June 19, 2023, when residents of Graham Avenue were startled by the sound of shattering glass as petrol bombs set a vehicle and nearby shrubbery ablaze.
Ashley Khan, 31, from Rodmell Avenue in Saltdean, and his brother, Nathan Thomas, 33, of no fixed abode, were apprehended following detailed CCTV analysis, forensic tests, and a thorough police investigation. Their actions not only endangered lives but also led to a significant narcotics discovery, with substantial quantities of cocaine seized from Khan’s residence, alongside cannabis.
Charged and remanded for arson and drug offences, the brothers faced trial at Chichester Crown Court, resulting in their conviction for conspiracy to commit arson and possession with intent to supply cocaine, with Khan also found guilty of possessing cannabis. Their sentencing at Hove Crown Court saw Khan receive a five-and-a-half-year prison term, while Thomas was sentenced to four years.
