Here we take a look at some of the criminals locked up during the first six months of 2021.
All of the information below comes from either Sussex Police or our reporters attending court in person.
5.
'Prolific' Daniel Meehan, of Albion Hill in Brighton, had 31 previous convictions for burglary, vehicle offences and anti-social behaviour when he was charged with burgling properties in Woodingdean last year. On January 12, the court heard Meehan, 28, broke into properties in Burnham Close and Batemans Road between June 27 and 28, 2020, stealing items including a wallet, sunglasses and a changing bag. He took keys to a car with which he drove to petrol stations and shops, where he used a victim's card to buy alcohol and cigarettes. On June 30, police searched a property in Rosedean Close where he had previously been staying and found several stolen items. After several 'wanted' appeals, Meehan was found hiding on a roof on August 12 and arrested. He was sentenced to three years and two months in prison after pleading guilty to two counts of burglary, taking a vehicle without the owner’s consent, fraud by false representation, and escaping lawful custody.
6.
Kirsten Hocking, 29, of Lyndhurst Road in Worthing, was given a Criminal Behaviour Order in July that stopped her from entering many shops in the town and visiting some areas. But on January 12, she threatened staff at Boots in Montague Street by saying she was infected with Covid-19 and that she 'had a needle' and 'would use it'. She also stole items such as perfume, alcohol and pet food from shops in Worthing between November and January. On January 13, Hocking pleaded guilty to five counts of theft, five counts of breaching her CBO, two counts of causing intentional harassment, alarm or distress and one count of attempted theft. She was jailed for 26 weeks. Her shoplifting was estimated to have caused a loss of £326.29.
7.
After being challenged by a member of Marks and Spencer staff in Chichester's East Street store on December 15, Jonathan Turner smashed a £2.50 jar of truffle mayonnaise on the floor which he subsequently slipped in. Turner, who was asked to leave for being drunk, then hit a male member of staff in the face and left. He was arrested shortly after and charged with criminal damage and assault. Turner, of Duncan Road in Chichester, pleaded guilty to both offences and was ordered to pay £2.50 compensation to M&S and £75 compensation to the staff member. While at court, a separate issue of Turner burgling One Stop in Chichester in August was dealt with. He was sentenced to 12 weeks after pleading guilty but, as he had breached an ongoing 12-week sentence, he was jailed for 24 weeks.
8.
Jurors found Raymond Hoadley, 62, of Willowfield Road in Eastbourne, guilty of the murder of his estranged wife following a three-week trial. On July 5, 2020, police launched a murder investigation after the body of 58-year-old Jacqueline Hoadley was found inside her Eastbourne home in Broad Oak Close. She had suffered multiple injuries to her body and was dead at the scene. Raymond Hoadley was arrested an hour later and charged with murder four days later. The investigation found that on July 4, Hoadley climbed over Jacqueline's fence, broke into her house and murdered her. On January 22, jurors unanimously found him guilty and he will be sentenced on February 22.