A burglar from Brighton faces another stretch in prison after pleading guilty to a series of offences in court last week.
Craig Knight, 34, of no fixed address, is due to be sentenced next month after he admitted burgling homes and businesses as well as targeting vehicles.
Knight appeared before Judge Martin Huseyin at Lewes Crown Court last Monday (22 September) and was remanded in custody to await sentence.
The court was told that he pleaded guilty at Brighton Magistrates’ Court in July to burgling Wild Root Tattooist, in St James’s Street, Brighton, in January 2023, stealing dog treats, a prescription and a Royal Mail return slip.
Knight, formerly of Oriental Place and North Road, in Brighton, also admitted trying to burgle Hunter Florist on the same day, as well as having a kitchen knife and a small amount of cannabis.
Sussex Police said: “Initial reports were made to police on Thursday 5 January 2023 when a man was seen acting suspiciously around a van that had its alarm sounding in a car park in Chapel Street.
“The man was intercepted by security and when officers arrived, he was detained to be searched. He was identified as Craig Knight.
“On his person he was found in possession of a knife, cannabis and letters addressed to a tattoo shop in Kemp Town which had been recently broken into.
“Knight also had a few dog treats in his pocket which also were linked to ones found within the tattooists.
“A florist near to the tattoo shop had also reported damage to their shopfront at around the time of the tattoo shop break in.
“Upon checking the CCTV, a man matching Knight’s description was seen causing damage to a window.
“Knight was arrested and immediately recalled to prison for breaching the terms of his licence in relation to previous offences.
“On Tuesday 17 June, Knight was charged with possessing a bladed article in a public place, possessing a class B drug, burglary and attempted burglary.
“He was due to appear at court the following month to answer charges. However, ahead of this, on Thursday 10 July, a property in Clifton Hill, Brighton, was broken into during the night.
“One resident was awoken by a noise and saw a man in the hallway. She raised the alarm and the man, now known to be Knight, promptly exited the property, having stolen a vast number of items from inside, as well as a car.
“The car was tracked to a car park in Lewes and officers attended and detained Knight as he returned to the vehicle from a supermarket.
“He was arrested for a series of offences, and once again was recalled to prison.
“He appeared at Brighton Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday 23 July to answer charges in relation to the earlier offences. Here he pleaded guilty and was conditionally bailed from court to await sentencing.
“During this time, a further series of burglary reports were made to police.
“On Friday 8 August, a property in Pelham Street was entered and items were stolen from an outbuilding.
“The following day a man entered a supermarket in St James’s Street and stole food and drink as well as assaulted staff.
“On Sunday 10 August, a report was made that a man had broken into a home in Farm Hill. However, the resident was inside and bravely chased him from the premises.
“Lastly, five days later, a report was made that a vehicle had been entered and had items stolen in Valley Road, Portslade.
“Through CCTV, forensics and local inquiries, it was found that all fingers pointed to Knight and he was tracked down and arrested again on Friday 22 August.
“Charges were authorised the following day for two counts of burglary, burglary other than a dwelling, theft of a vehicle, theft from a vehicle, assault and theft from a shop.
“He was remanded and recalled to prison for a third time.
“At a hearing at Lewes Crown Court on Monday 22 September, Knight pleaded guilty to all the outstanding offences.”
Knight was remanded in custody to await sentence on Tuesday 14 October.
Sussex Police added: “Eight further offences committed in August involving Knight will also be taken into account by the judge. These offences include two further burglaries and three further thefts from vehicles.”
Detective Constable James Botting said: “Knight was comfortable taking what was not his, repeatedly targeting different homes and small businesses in Brighton.
“His actions have had a significant impact on people’s lives, not only through the loss of their property but also the distress and disruption caused.
“We are pleased that following the overwhelming evidence against him, he has admitted his crimes – and we hope this brings some reassurance to the victims and the wider community.”
Clearly a halfwit. Why do they feel the need to release him from prison or bail him.