A 35-year-old man has been sentenced to three years in prison after pleading guilty to a series of burglaries and thefts across Brighton.
According to Sussex Police, the offending took place between 20 July and 2 August in the areas of St Nicholas Road, Kensington Street, Queens Place, Ditchling Road and Kings Road in Brighton.
During these two weeks, both residential properties and commercial premises were targeted. CCTV footage revealed the offender acting in broad daylight and in a bold manner.
In one incident on 20 July, the man – later identified as Steven Convey of Hythe Road, Kent – was seen on St Nicholas Road attempting to enter a communal door of a block of flats. He was confronted by a resident, and attempted to cover his actions by claiming he was at the wrong address.
Shortly afterwards, a nearby property was burgled and a car stolen. CCTV and subsequent enquiries linked Convey to the theft of the vehicle.
Four days later, he broke into another home and stole multiple items, including a TV. In a striking act of daring, he hailed down a workman driving along London Road, asking for a lift for “him and his TV” — the TV in question, of course, was stolen.
On 4 August Convey was arrested in London. At the time of his arrest he was found in possession of jewellery stolen during the burglary series. Charges included five counts of burglary and theft, one count of burglary other than a dwelling, two counts of attempted burglary, theft of a motor vehicle, attempted motor-vehicle theft and fraud by false representation.
He appeared at Lewes Crown Court on 3 September and pleaded guilty to all charges. He remained in custody ahead of his sentencing, which took place on 9 October.
Detective Constable James Botting said:
“Convey relentlessly targeted properties in Brighton for his own gain. A dedicated team worked tirelessly to gather evidence and pursue every available line of enquiry, leading to indisputable evidence of Convey’s offending being uncovered. A guilty plea followed, and now Convey has been jailed.”
The case serves as a reminder of the importance of property security, particularly in the summer months when offenders may act during daylight hours. CCTV footage and quick-thinking by a resident contributed to bringing the case to court.
Residents are encouraged to ensure communal doors are kept locked, valuable items are secured, and suspicious activity is reported promptly.
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