A teenager from Brighton who was wanted by the police was arrested last night (Sunday 27 December) and has been returned to prison.
William Westein, 19, formerly of Theobald House, Blackman Street, Brighton, was part of a gang that stole 20 cars over four months until their arrest in the spring.
He was jailed for 18 months when he appeared at Lewes Crown Court just over a fortnight ago on Friday 11 December.
But having spent nine months in prison on remand before he was sentenced, he was released on licence and placed under the supervision of the probation service.
Sussex Police said last week that he had broken the terms of his licence and asked for the public’s help to find him so that he could be sent back to prison.
Today (Monday 28 December) the force said: “William Westein, 19, who was wanted for recall to prison, was arrested in Peacehaven on Sunday evening (27 December).
“Westein was sentenced to 18 months’ imprisonment at Lewes Crown Court on (Friday) 11 December after being convicted of conspiracy to convert criminal property.
“He was released on prison licence, subject to probation service supervision, on the same day as he had already been in prison for nine months while awaiting trial and then sentence.
“He was therefore to serve the remaining nine months of his sentence on licence.
“However, since his release he failed to comply with the terms of his prison licence, which was revoked as a result, and at the request of the probation service he has been recalled to prison.”
