A serial burglar who stole dog treats from a tattoo parlour during his latest spree has been jailed for more than five years.
Craig Knight, 34, kicked off his criminal career in 2012 when he streaked at the Amex.
Since then, his offending has become more serious, racking up convictions for burglary, car theft, drug and knife possession and assault – nearly all fuelled by his addiction to heroin.
In 2019, he was spared jail for shoplifting comic books worth £1,000 from Waterstones in Brighton and given his first drug rehabilitation order.
But this has not stopped his offending, and he has just been jailed for another string of offences.
The series began in January 2023, when he was seen acting suspiciously around a van that had its alarm sounding in a car park in Chapel Street.
Police attended and arrested Knight, finding a knife, drugs, and a letter addressed to a recently burgled tattoo shop, Wild Roots, in Kemp Town on him.
Knight also had a few dog treats in his pocket, which were also linked to ones found within the tattooists.
Another business nearby, Hunter Florist, had recently had their shopfront damaged in a burglary attempt. Checks of CCTV revealed it was indeed Knight seen causing the damage.
Knight was arrested and immediately recalled to prison for breaching the terms of his licence in relation to previous offences.
On June 17, 2025, Knight was charged with possessing a bladed article in a public place, possessing a Class B drug, burglary, and also attempted burglary.
Prior to attending court to answer the charges, Knight burgled a home in Clifton Hill on July 10. He stole a number of items as well as a car.
The car was tracked and located in Lewes, and Knight was apprehended by police as he returned from a supermarket.
He was arrested, and once again was recalled to prison.
Knight appeared at Brighton Magistrates’ Court on July 23 to answer charges in relation to the earlier offences. Here he pleaded guilty and was conditionally bailed from court to await sentencing.
In just over a week the following month, Knight burgled the Brighton and Hove Foyer in Pelham Street and stole equipment from its shed, stole food and drink from the Co-op in St James’s Street as well as assaulting staff member Mark Forrester, broke into a home in Farm Hill and was chased from the premises by a resident and stole items from a vehicle in Valley Road, Portslade.
On August 22, he was spotted by the Brighton Crime Reduction Partnership and arrested in East Street, and 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.
Knight was then recalled to prison for a third time before appearing at Lewes Crown Court on September 22.
Here he pleaded guilty to all the August offences and was remanded to prison to await his sentencing.
Today (Tuesday 14 October) Recorder James Hay sentenced Knight to five years and three months in prison.
Eight further offences committed in August involving Knight were also taken into account by the judge during sentencing.
Officer in charge of the case, Detective Constable James Botting, said: “Each burglary left behind more than just the loss of valuable possessions, it caused lasting distress, anxiety, and disruption to those affected.
“Through a thorough investigation, teamed with strong community support, we were able to build a clear picture of Knight’s offending and present overwhelming evidence against him. Faced with this, he had little choice but to admit to his crimes.
“Following Knights sentencing, we hope the result brings reassurance not only to his victims, but also to the wider community, showing that we will continue to take firm action against those who target others for their own gain.”
