Locked up in Sussex: These are some of the criminals jailed in February
Three life sentences were handed out in Sussex last month for murders both pre-meditated and impulsive.
By John Holden
Published 3rd Mar 2021, 16:23 GMT
Thieves, a kidnapping and sexual assault also led to imprisonment for these criminals. All information here is taken from Sussex Police or from our reporters covering court proceedings in person.
5.
Talisa Windsor, 30, of Amberley Drive in Hove, who tried to set fire to a family home with two young children inside, has been jailed. Windsor was jailed for six years, including a further three on extended licence, at Chichester Crown Court on Friday, February 18 after being found guilty of attempted arson reckless as to endangering life. At 6.35pm on Tuesday, May 11, Windsor was caught on CCTV pouring 3.7 litres of petrol – which she had recently stolen from a nearby petrol station - around the front door of a property in Moyne Close, Hove. She attempted to set the petrol alight by filling a broken bottle with petrol and tissue and throwing it at the door – but fortunately it failed to ignite. Windsor also tried to throw a brick through a front window. Police were called after members of the public reported smelling petrol and Windsor was witnessed filling the bottle with petrol nearby. She was swiftly arrested while officers visited the Moyne Close address to ensure the safety of the occupants, who had esc
6.
Jay Georgiou, 27, who taunted police on social media, has been jailed for possession of a knife, cannabis and going equipped for theft. Georgiou was wanted on recall to prison and a £500 reward was offered for information on his whereabouts in Sussex last year. While at large, he responded to Sussex Police on social media in response to the appeal to find him. “I am not Eastbourne’s Jay Georgiou, I am THE Jay Georgiou,” he boasted. He also posted an image of himself behind the wheel of a vehicle while wearing a balaclava. But on September 13, officers from the Specialist Enforcement Unit arrested Georgiou at a car rental office in Eastbourne. Georgiou had been wanted for several months on recall to prison, and was returned to custody where he is serving the remainder of his custodial sentence for robbery which was imposed in 2014. When he was arrested he was found in possession of a combat knife, cannabis, and a lock-pick set. Following an investigation by officers at Eastbourne CID, he was further charged wi
7.
Ian Brett, 65, of Buckhurst Road, Bexhill, is starting a prison sentence totalling 11-and-a-half-years for a series of sexual offences against three girls then aged between five and eight, between 36 and 45 years ago. Brett was sentenced at Lewes Crown Court on Friday, February 4, having been found guilty last November on 13 counts - three of child cruelty, one against each girl, and ten of indecent assault. He will serve an extra year on prison release licence and will also be a registered sex offender for life. The jury did not agree on a verdict on two counts of indecency with a child, and returned a not guilty verdict on a count of causing actual bodily harm to one of the girls. Two counts of indecent assault were not proceeded with and will lay on the court file.
8.
Curtis Gaare Michael, 37 and of Westfield Rise, Saltdean (top left), and Michael Yazgic (bottom left), 29 and of Packham Way, Burgess Hill, both pleaded guilty and appeared before Lewes Crown Court on Thursday, February 3 for sentencing after 24-year-old Callum Chapman, a car enthusiast from Southwater, was tragically killed in a high-speed crash on the A24 near Southwater. Police were called to the incident around 1.25pm on December 6, 2020 after a grey Lexus GS300 lost control and collided with trees. Yazgic was arrested and charged with dangerous driving. Gaare Michael was taken to hospital having suffered serious injuries, and later arrested and charged with causing death by dangerous driving. Gaare Michael was sentenced to three years’ imprisonment, and disqualified from driving for four years and six months. Yazgic was sentenced to six months’ imprisonment and disqualified from driving for 21 months. Both will be subject to an extended re-test should they reapply for their licence.