Former Brighton bar worker jailed for 12 years for violent robberies

A former bar worker from Brighton was jailed for 12 years for entering two homes and threatening people with an imitation firearm.

Tyler Corteggio, 27, carried out the robberies and struck one man with a sledgehammer in Brighton and Seaford in July last year.

In the first robbery, the former Dorothy Stringer pupil wore a mask and broke into a home in Halland Road, Moulsecoomb, at 1.45pm on Tuesday 4 July last year.

The victim, David Martin, felt a tap on the back of his head, then turned around to see Corteggio pointing an imitation firearm at him.

Corteggio ordered the man to find him an electric bicycle and also pointed the imitation firearm at a woman in the property, then left with the e-bike.

He also robbed Simon Jiggins, demanding the keys to a Range Rover and striking the victim on his arm with a sledgehammer at 3am in Sutton Road, Seaford, on Friday 14 July last year.

After taking the Range Rover from the driveway, the vehicle was tracked to an address by police where a stolen BMW was also found, along with Corteggio’s wallet with personal documents inside.

Tactical Firearms Unit (TFU) officers patrolled the area then located Corteggio, who was hiding nearby.

During the investigation, it was revealed that Corteggio had shown the imitation firearm to acquaintances, telling them that it was both real and that he was “not messing about any more”.

He pleaded guilty to two counts of robbery, two counts of having an imitation firearm with intent to cause fear of immediate and unlawful violence and one count of taking a motor vehicle without consent.

He was sentenced to 12 years in prison at Brighton Crown Court by Recorder John Hardy on Thursday 28 March.

Detective Sergeant Jamie Ashford said: “Corteggio carried out two robberies which were distressing for the victims.

“We are grateful to them for helping the investigation and providing detailed descriptions.

“TFU officers were able to safely detain Corteggio, and CID detectives and investigation staff ensured Corteggio had no choice but to plead guilty in court when presented with the evidence of what he had done.

“This case shows our determination to catch dangerous offenders and prevent them from causing further harm to the community.

“We are pleased that a dangerous offender is behind bars.”