Two men have been sentenced after a series of arson and criminal damage offenses that terrorised communities across East Sussex.
Michael Rodgers, 36, of Battle Road, St Leonards, and Kiarash Majidi, 37, of Grand Parade, St Leonards, were sentenced in July and August following their involvement in a shocking crime spree that spanned several towns, including Eastbourne, Hastings, and Rye.
The spree began on the evening of August 8, 2023, when Rodgers and Majidi targeted a property on Castle Hill Road, Hastings, smashing its windows before moving on to another location. Over the next few hours, they continued their destructive actions, shattering windows at a property on Priory Road in Hastings.
Less than a week later, on August 14, the pair escalated their attacks, causing damage to properties and vehicles across Hastings. Their crimes included smashing windows on Chiltern Drive and setting a car on fire on Linton Road. They also damaged properties on Lower Park Road and continued their rampage in Boyne Road and Pottingfield Road, Rye, where similar damage was inflicted.
The criminals didn’t stop there. In the early hours of August 16, they targeted a property and vehicle in The Rookery, Eastbourne, and further damaged a car and property in St Leonards and Hastings, respectively.
Their crime spree culminated on August 25, when they attempted to break into a property on Sedlescombe Road South, St Leonards. However, their actions were interrupted by a vigilant resident who alerted the police. Responding swiftly, officers located a vehicle matching the description given by the witness. Inside, they found a crowbar, an axe handle, a jerry can of petrol, and wet clothing, leading to the arrest of Rodgers and Majidi on suspicion of criminal damage.
After being bailed under strict conditions, new evidence, including video footage, was obtained from their phones. Both men were rearrested and charged on October 31, 2023.
Rodgers faced 10 counts of criminal damage and one count of arson with recklessness, while Majidi was charged with eight counts of criminal damage and one count of arson with recklessness. Both men later pleaded guilty to the charges.
At Lewes Crown Court, on July 27, Majidi was sentenced to three years and four months in prison. Rodgers was sentenced at Brighton Crown Court on August 9, receiving a term of two years and four months imprisonment.
The sentences bring some measure of justice to the victims of these senseless crimes, and Sussex Police have expressed their gratitude to the community members who played a crucial role in the investigation.
