Hove Burglar Jailed for 43 Months, Warrants Issued for Two Others

A burglar who was challenged by a woman when he broke into her home in Hove has been jailed for 43 months, Sussex Police said.

Jason Knight, 37, of Chailey Road, Brighton, was sentenced at Lewes Crown Court on Tuesday 27 October 2026. Police said arrest warrants have been issued for two other people charged in the case, who failed to attend court.

What happened in Waterloo Street, Hove

Sussex Police said a woman challenged Knight when he burgled her home in Waterloo Street, Hove, on 28 April. A number of her belongings were stolen, including her bank card, which went on to be used in nearby shops.

Police said an area search and enquiries led to the arrest of Knight and two others. Knight was charged with burglary and fraud by false representation and remanded in custody.

For more on burglary and stolen bank cards in Sussex, see our report on Sussex burglary figures and our Kings Road bank cards appeal.

How the case unfolded in court

Here is the timeline from the police release in one place, free to save and share.

All three appeared before Brighton Magistrates’ Court on 29 April. Knight appeared before Lewes Crown Court on 26 May and pleaded guilty to two counts of fraud.

On 27 October, at the same court, Knight pleaded guilty to burglary.

How Knight’s 43 months is made up

The court gave Knight 37 months for the burglary and a further six months for breaching a suspended sentence. The suspended sentence related to an assault charge he was convicted of in January 2025.

Together, that makes 43 months in prison. Police have not said in their release what sentence he received for the two fraud counts.

Warrants issued for two co-accused

Two other people were charged in the case with assisting an offender: Victoria Hayes-Sparkes, 32, of Western Road, Brighton, and Stefan Gilmore, 34, of no fixed address.

Sussex Police said both failed to attend court and that warrants have been issued for their arrest. The release does not say whether either has been found since. Reports of crime can be made on the Sussex Police website, and in an emergency you should call 999.

What Detective Constable James Botting said

Detective Constable James Botting said:

“We understand that the impact of burglaries can be long lasting for victims, not just financially but emotionally too.”

“Sussex Police will continue to investigate any report of burglary, pursuing all reasonable lines of enquiry to hold offenders accountable for their crimes and bringing justice to victims.”

Detective Constable James Botting, Sussex Police

ImJustBrighton note: the sentence was passed on 27 October and Sussex Police published its release the next day, Wednesday 28 October 2026. The names, ages and addresses above are as given by Sussex Police.