Locked up in Sussex: Here are some of the criminals jailed in April
As the court systems work their way through a backlog caused by the Covid-19 pandemic, dozens of criminals are sentenced and jailed every month in Sussex.
By John Holden
Published 30th Apr 2021, 15:55 BST
Here are some of those sent to jail during April and the tail-end of March, including several child sex offenders, dangerous drivers and domestic abusers.
5. Dean Loughran-Oxley, no fixed address
Dean Loughran-Oxley, of no fixed address, was found hiding in a drain after being chased by police. Officers on patrol spotted Loughran-Oxley's Audi Q3, which was untaxed, driving eastbound on the A27 at Lewes at 12.03am on Monday, February 22. He was pulled over and, as officers asked him to get out of the vehicle, he drove away towards Polegate at speeds of up to 90mph. A tyre deflation device punctured all four tyres at the junction with the A2270, allowing police to box Loughran-Oxley in, but he ran away. A helicopter and dog units were deployed, after which police dog Flak found the fugitive hiding in a drain under Black Path, Polegate. Loughran-Oxley was charged with dangerous driving, driving while disqualified, failing to stop when required by police and possession of cannabis. He had 27 previous driving-based convictions. At Lewes Crown Court he was sentenced to 60 weeks in prison and banned from driving for three and a half years. SUS-210430-154615001
6. Kessia Davies and Edward Birigwa, London
North London couple Edward Birigwa, 30, and Kessia Davies, 21, both of Golders Way in London, were jailed for their part in a county lines operation bringing Class A drugs from London into Brighton. The couple were arrested in London on January 27 after a months-long investigation by the Brighton Community Investigation Team and the Met Police's Operation Orochi. Birigwa and Davies' homes were searched and drugs were seized, as well as cash, scales, mobile phones and other items. At Lewes Crown Court on April 23, both pleaded guilty to being concerned in the supply of crack cocaine and heroin. Birigwa was jailed for five years and Davies was sentenced to two years and six months in prison. SUS-210430-154625001
7. Harry Dennis, Maresfield and Danny Stiller, Hadlow Down
Twenty-one-year-old Harry Dennis, of Maple Close in Maresfield, was 50% over the drug-drive limit when he crashed into a tractor on The Broyle on May 18, 2020. He had been travelling at 120mph before hitting the tractor, which overturned. Its driver suffered serious facial injuries and temporary sight loss. Dennis was also seriously injured. He was charged with causing serious injury by dangerous driving and driving under the influence of drugs. Dennis had overtaken a Honda Civic, the driver of which, Danny Stiller, 22, of St Marks Field, Hadlow Down, was charged with dangerous driving, causing serious injury by dangerous driving and perverting the course of justice. CCTV showed they had been speeding in convoy. Dennis pleaded guilty to both charges and was jailed for 16 months on April 20, and banned from driving for 32 months. Stiller received a suspended four-month sentence for dangerous driving and 80 hours of unpaid work. He was found not guilty of causing serious injury by dangerous driving.
8. Ian Ellingford, Firle
Ian Ellingford, 51, of Ripe Lane in Firle, befriended a vulnerable female girl and sexually abused her for more than three years. At Lewes Crown Court on April 22, he was jailed for 12 years having been convicted of seven counts of rape and one count of sexual assault, all over a decade ago. SUS-210430-154645001