Two Men Sentenced for High-End Vehicle Theft Spree in East Sussex
Two men have received sentences for their involvement in a string of vehicle thefts and burglaries across East Sussex. The crimes, which predominantly targeted high-end vehicles like Jaguars, Land Rovers, and Range Rovers, occurred in the Bexhill, Hastings, and Eastbourne regions from July to August of the previous year. Additionally, two burglaries in Bexhill on […]
Bexhill Woman Found Guilty of Manslaughter of 18-Month-Old Boy
A Bexhill woman has been found guilty of manslaughter about the death of an 18-month-old boy she was caring for. The young child, Jaxon Syrett, tragically passed away in the hospital on September 24, 2020, after being admitted with severe injuries. The incident began on September 18, 2020, when emergency services were called to a […]
A Peacehaven man who violently assaulted an elderly man and seriously injured a woman who tried to intervene has been jailed
Gary Barney, 49, formerly of Bolney Avenue in Peacehaven, forced his way into a property in Sutton Avenue on the afternoon of 3 July, 2023. He carried out a vicious, sustained attack on a 78-year-old man inside the property, leaving him with injuries to his head and body.
Violent Home Burglary in Seaford: Four Men Charged
A group of four men have been officially charged about a violent home burglary in Seaford. The incident occurred at a residence in Coxwell Close around 11:30 pm on Sunday, January 7. According to reports, five individuals forced entry into the home attacked the resident and stole cash, electronics, and keys. The charged individuals are […]
47-Year-Old Imprisoned for GBH: Shocking Attack in Brighton
Jamil Wilson, a 47-year-old resident of Wilmington Gardens in Eastbourne, has been imprisoned for seven years and six months for committing grievous bodily harm (GBH) with intent. The sentencing took place at Lewes Crown Court on January 2nd, following an incident in Brighton. On the evening of October 12, 2022, between 7 and 10 pm, […]
Suspect Apprehended in Brighton for Possession of Heroin and Crack Cocaine
A suspect was apprehended in Brighton for alleged possession of heroin and crack cocaine with the intention of distribution. The Specialist Enforcement Unit (SEU) conducted patrols in the St James’s Street area, aiming to disrupt local drug trafficking activities.
Man Convicted of Multiple Offences During 12-Hour Crime Spree in West Sussex
In a shocking crime spree that spanned 12 hours, a man has been convicted of eight offences, leaving a trail of chaos and fear in his wake. The incidents, which occurred on January 3, 2024, in West Sussex, led to his arrest and subsequent guilty pleas. The first report of this harrowing spree came in […]
Shane Gibbs Faces Numerous Charges: Women and Children Offences in Sussex
A 34-year-old man, identified as Shane Gibbs, also known by the nickname ‘Blue’ and currently without a permanent residence, faces numerous charges involving offences against women and children in Sussex. The charges include raping a woman, child abduction, intentional strangulation, sexual activity with a minor aged 13 to 15, assault, and possession with intent to […]
Littlehampton man jailed for violent attack on a woman and sexual assault
A Littlehampton man who sexually assaulted a woman and subjected her to a horrific assault has been jailed for 15 years. Christopher Holland, 34, of Mill Lane, was charged with intentional strangulation, causing actual bodily harm (ABH) and engaging in coercive/controlling behaviour following a vicious attack in November 2022.
Burglar Receives Seven-Year Sentence for Violent Haywards Heath Incident
A burglary incident near Haywards Heath has led to a seven-year-plus prison sentence for the offender. The incident occurred on November 2, 2021, around 2:50 pm. Police responded to a burglary call at Brook Street, Cuckfield. The burglar, who forcibly entered the property, was discovered by the homeowner while searching through a wardrobe.
Delivery Driver Sentenced to Prison for Severe Sexual Offences Against Young Girls
A delivery driver from Peacehaven has been sentenced to prison for committing severe sexual offences against two young girls. The initial report, made in December 2021, concerned a girl under five years old who had been subjected to repeated sexual assaults. This led to the arrest of Matthew Barca, a 31-year-old resident of Peacehaven. Further […]
29-Year-Old Man Sentenced to 13.5 Years for Shocking Crimes: Stabbing and Abusive Behaviour
Callum Walsh, a 29-year-old man from Barnham, has been handed a 13.5-year sentence for two distinct yet grievous crimes. The sentence, delivered at Lewes Crown Court, addresses Walsh’s involvement in a stabbing incident in 2021 and subsequent abusive behaviour in early 2023. The first incident unfolded on the afternoon of May 23, 2021, in Littlehampton. […]
31-Year-Old Woman Sentenced to Prison for Shoplifting Spree and Assault in West Sussex and Brighton
Amy Jones, a 31-year-old woman of no fixed abode, has been sentenced to 12 months in prison following a series of shoplifting incidents and an assault in West Sussex and Brighton. Jones’s criminal spree spanned from July 4 to September 6, 2023, during which she committed 19 offences across the region. Her shoplifting targets included […]
Former Brighton TA, Stephen Payne, Gets 6.5 Years for Sexual Offenses
Stephen Payne, a 69-year-old former teaching assistant without a permanent residence, has been imprisoned for six and a half years following his conviction on 13 counts of sexual offenses. The sentencing occurred at Lewes Crown Court on Wednesday, January 31.
In 2020, the police investigated four separate instances of historical sexual assaults against girls aged 8 to 12, which took place at a property in Brighton. These incidents occurred between 2001 and 2018 at Payne’s previous residence in Brighton.
Payne, who was employed at Dharma Primary School in Brighton from 1994 until his arrest on March 18, 2020, was accused of sexually assaulting three victims while pretending to measure their height and a fourth victim during a makeshift game of ‘Twister’ at his home. Notably, one of the victims was connected to Payne’s role in education. The school ceased operations in 2020.
After an extensive investigation, Payne faced charges including nine counts of indecent assault against a girl under 16, three counts of engaging in non-penetrative sexual activity with a girl aged 13-15, and one count of assault by touching a girl under 13. He was found guilty of all charges on January 26 at Lewes Crown Court.
In addition to his prison sentence, Payne received a Sexual Harm Prevention Order and a restraining order. He will be registered as a sex offender for life.
Police Constable Donna Bagguley, of Brighton and Hove’s Safeguarding Investigation Unit, said: “Stephen Payne abused the trust of his young victims in the most appalling way.
“Each of them has shown extraordinary courage to report his crimes and give evidence against him. We believed them, a jury believed them and now Payne will spend a significant amount of time behind bars.
“We believe Payne may have more victims. If you or anyone you know is a victim of a sexual offence – no matter how long ago – please report to the police. We will believe you, we will support you and we will do everything we can to get you justice.”
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Reckless Driver Faces Consequences: Life-Changing Injuries Caused by Unsecured Agricultural Equipment
A reckless driver, Ashley Sceal, faced severe consequences when his failure to properly secure agricultural equipment on his lorry resulted in a harrowing collision, leaving another motorist with life-changing injuries. The incident occurred on Lewes Road, Blackboys, near Uckfield, where Sceal was responsible for transporting a tractor and machinery on a flatbed trailer. Tragically, the […]
10-Year Prison Sentence After Crawley Man Inflicts Hours of Terror
Younes Benmohammed has been sentenced to a decade in prison for a severe assault that lasted seven hours, resulting in grievous bodily harm (GBH) with intent. This incident took place in Crawley and was adjudicated following a trial at Lewes Crown Court. The assault occurred on March 6, 2020, after Benmohammed had spent the evening […]
Sexual Harm Prevention Order Issued Against Bognor Man
Andrew Chambers, 33, of Oakley Road Bognor was convicted for targeting young girls online, receiving a 10-year Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO) for his actions from 2016 to 2020. The court at Lewes heard how the man, a cleaner by profession, exploited social media to find his victims. He attempted to lure one girl to […]
Bognor man given 10-year Sexual Harm Prevention Order
Andrew Chambers, 33, of Oakley Road, was given a 10-year Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO) for the offences committed between 2016 and 2020. Lewes Crown Court heard on 5 December how Chambers used social media in search of his victims.
