West Sussex business break-ins: Two men plead guilty to crimes across three counties

Two men appeared before Brighton magistrates on New Year's Day charged with a string of commercial burglaries in Sussex, Surrey and Hampshire, police have said.
Sussex PoliceSussex Police
Sussex Police

Andrew Richard Lewin, 43, unemployed, of Caterham, Surrey, and Gary Roland Reilly, 51, a railway worker, of Purley, Surrey, were arrested in Guildford on Sunday (December 30)

Both were remanded in custody to await sentence at Lewes Crown Court on Monday, 28 January.

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Following the hearing, Detective Sergeant Jason Vickers, of Sussex Police, said: “This was a complex case involving investigations by officers across three counties, but close co-operation and dedicated police work has resulted in these persistent offenders being brought before justices and admitting their crimes.”

Both men pleaded guilty to being jointly concerned in the following: On 30 November entering Springfield Road, Horsham, and stealing a quantity of Dell laptops and a bottle of champagne; on the same date and at the same location attempting to enter Anys and Kreston Reeves with intent to steal; on 27 December at the Chichester Enterprise Centre in Terminus Road, Chichester, entering Dropship Spy Ltd and stealing a Samsung TV; entering New World Ltd and stealing a Samsung mobile phone; entering Oak Construction Ltd and stealing an IBM computer; entering Rodd Brown Ltd and stealing a Lenovo laptop; entering Arkle Acquisitions Ltd and stealing a cashbox containing £20 cash; entering Book Folly Ltd with intent to steal; entering Springhouse Solicitors with intent to steal; on 28 December entering Data 2 Basepoint, Caxton Close, Portway, Andover, Hampshire, and stealing an unknown number of laptops.

Lewin denied a charge of being jointly involved with Reilly in entering Grosvenor House, Station Road, Sunbury-on-Thames, on 11 November with intent to steal. Reilly admitted the offence.

The case continues.