Katie Worrell

An inquest has opened at Horsham Coroners' Court into the death of 30-year-old Brighton resident Patrick Ellis, who was found dead in a caravan on June 27, 2026. His family formally identified him, and the provisional cause of death was recorded as hanging. Assistant coroner Jacqueline Haines adjourned the inquest until November 5, 2026.

Gary Duncan Silk, a 78-year-old Horsham pensioner, was found dead in his home on Kennedy Road after neighbours alerted police when they had not seen him for more than a week. Police forced entry on August 5, but a doctor could not determine the cause of death. An inquest opened at Horsham Coroners' Court on August 18 and was adjourned by Assistant Coroner Jacqueline Haines until March 3, 2027.

Brighton teacher Maeve Tully is training for her first Brighton and Hove Triathlon to raise £600 for a special educational needs room at Downs Junior School. The proposed quiet, supportive space would help pupils regulate and refocus, while the fundraiser will also support World War II history resources connected to the school's restored air-raid shelter. Tully says rising levels of additional support needs and stretched school budgets are increasing reliance on community fundraising, although the target will cover only part of the room's cost.

Michael Pyke, 78, of Aldwick, remains due to stand trial for the alleged murder of his wife, Beryl Pyke, 84, whose body was found at their home on May 31. No plea was entered during a case management hearing at Lewes Crown Court, and a further hearing was scheduled for late September. A two-week trial is planned for November, while Sussex Police continue their investigation and appeal for witnesses.

A freedom-of-information request commissioned by nicotine pouch retailer Alternix found that 426 students at the University of Sussex were caught smoking or vaping in university-managed accommodation since 2024, the second-highest total in the UK. The university recorded 176 incidents in 2024, 157 in 2025 and 93 so far in 2026. Across the UK, 5,293 incidents resulted in £82,942 in fines. Sussex says its accommodation is smoke- and vape-free and that students who breach the rules receive warnings, with enforcement intended to protect residents’ comfort and safety.

An inquest has opened into the death of 32-year-old Brighton woman Amanda Savic at Royal Sussex County Hospital. A post-mortem indicated that alcohol withdrawal may have contributed to her death. Assistant coroner Jacqueline Haines opened proceedings at Horsham Coroners' Court, with the full hearing adjourned until February 2, 2027.

The former Font pub on the corner of Union Street and Meeting House Lane in Brighton has reopened as O'Neill's after a major refurbishment and rebranding by Mitchells & Butlers. The 400-capacity venue, located in a Grade II listed former chapel, now features a new bar, television screens and dance floor. It will offer live music, open-mic and karaoke nights, sports broadcasts, pub food, takeaway options, happy hours and bottomless brunches.

Simon Stringer, 31, of Brighton, pleaded guilty to three charges of possessing samurai swords after police found them in his bedroom on June 21, 2026. He said two belonged to his former partner and that he thought they were “cool,” while his solicitor argued he did not know possession was illegal. The court imposed a 12-month conditional discharge, along with £85 in costs and a £26 victim surcharge.

Hot, dry weather has severely lowered water levels at Queens Park pond in Brighton, leaving wildlife vulnerable to mud, debris and entanglement. A seagull was rescued after becoming trapped, while two young swans were moved to a sanctuary with more water. Local residents and wildlife rescuers say the pond has become dangerous and poorly maintained. Brighton and Hove City Council says the pond depends on rainwater, runoff and groundwater, making it prone to evaporation during extended dry spells, and is avoiding mains water because chlorine and nitrates could damage the ecosystem. The council is monitoring the site and expects natural rainfall to support recovery.

A railway bridge over New England Road in Brighton has become known locally as “Pigeon Poo bridge” because of bird waste, dead birds, overgrown vegetation and graffiti. Councillor Ty Goddard is calling for Network Rail and Brighton and Hove City Council to adopt a stronger joint maintenance approach, including improved bird netting and vegetation management. The council jet-washes the area every three weeks, while Network Rail says it completed vegetation work in March 2026 and plans wider improvements when resources allow, subject to operational priorities and funding.

An inquest found that Gemma Robins, a 30-year-old new mother from Hove, was not tested for protein in her urine or given a repeat blood-pressure check at her final antenatal appointment despite raised blood pressure, slowed fetal growth and severe pregnancy sickness. The coroner concluded that further testing could have revealed pre-eclampsia or abnormal liver function and led to earlier hospital treatment, although she could not determine whether this would have prevented Robins's death. Robins later developed acute fatty liver of pregnancy, necrotising pancreatitis, sepsis, liver and kidney failure, internal bleeding and other complications before dying on June 13, 2024. Her family and solicitor also highlighted inadequate safety-netting advice, while University Hospitals Sussex expressed its condolences and said it would respond to the coroner's findings and improve care.

Sau-Lan Wong, 73, was found dead near railings in Broadbridge Heath by a dog walker on June 26. An inquest heard that she was initially mistaken for a sleeping person, and coroner Joseph Turner determined that she died by suicide by hanging. Wong had moved from Hong Kong to the area to live with her family.

Passengers and nearby residents described the chaos and fear after a train derailed and overturned between Lewes and Haywards Heath on August 13. Liton Miah said he helped his family and another injured passenger, while Yana Ludwig and Rob Bradley described the carriage tipping, debris, smoke and widespread confusion. Residents reported a major emergency response involving numerous ambulances, helicopters, police and a local triage centre for the injured.

Three carriages derailed near Lewes shortly before 3:45 p.m., seriously injuring two people and causing injuries to nine others. Aerial photographs appear to show buckled sections of railway track, raising questions about whether unusually hot weather contributed to the incident. The Rail Accident Investigation Branch is investigating the exact cause.

A Southern train traveling from London Victoria to Eastbourne derailed near Lewes on August 13, prompting an emergency response and concern from Sussex MPs. Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander said she was deeply concerned and that authorities were working with the rail industry to support passengers. MPs Josh Babarinde, James MacCleary and Helena Dollimore offered assistance to affected constituents, while Babarinde reported that at least one passenger had suffered rib injuries and called for mental-health support, compensation and a full investigation into the cause. Rother councillor Connor Winter urged the public to follow official advice and praised East Sussex Fire and Rescue Service.

A train derailment in the Lewes area closed all lines through Lewes and disrupted services between Brighton, Lewes, Eastbourne, Seaford and Haywards Heath. Southern Rail expected major disruption until at least 10 p.m., advised passengers to travel later where possible, and warned of journey extensions of at least 60 minutes—or 90 minutes for Gatwick Airport. Cooksbridge and Plumpton stations were temporarily unserved, with replacement buses requested but not yet confirmed. Passengers were told to remain on delayed trains unless instructed otherwise, while emergency services, Network Rail engineers and railway staff worked to make the route safe. Alternative Southern, Thameslink, Gatwick Express, London Underground and selected Brighton & Hove bus services could be used without additional cost.

A Sony camera bag containing lenses and other high-value equipment was stolen from a TV crew preparing to film at the West Pier Trust’s base on Brighton seafront on August 4. Sussex Police are seeking a shirtless man captured on CCTV and have asked anyone with information to contact them.

Sussex Police are seeking to identify a person in connection with an assault on Church Road near Hove Villas. A 59-year-old man, who was walking with a 13-year-old girl, was allegedly verbally and physically assaulted after apologising when they bumped into another man. The victim suffered multiple facial injuries and was treated in hospital. Police are asking witnesses and anyone with CCTV, mobile phone or dashcam footage to contact them.

Jeremy Hulland, a 64-year-old Worthing man, was sentenced at Brighton Magistrates’ Court to a community order with 200 hours of unpaid work and 20 days of rehabilitation after being convicted of sending abusive emails to East Worthing MP Tom Rutland. He was also ordered to pay £250 in costs and a £114 victim surcharge, and made subject to a restraining order preventing direct or indirect contact with Rutland or attendance at his address. The emails, sent over several days, insulted Rutland and then-Prime Minister Keir Starmer; Hulland said he was an anarchist and that alcohol lowered his inhibitions. Rutland said harassment of elected representatives damages democracy and discourages people from entering public life.

Labour councillor Milla Gauge resigned from Brighton and Hove City Council's Queens Park ward after criticising its handling of safeguarding concerns related to gender issues, women's safety and access to services. She called for reviews of gender-related health scrutiny, school guidance and council compliance with equality law, citing an investigation into WellBn GP Practice. Council leader Bella Sankey said Gauge had not identified a specific safeguarding failure caused by the council's trans-inclusive approach, argued that the council had no role in commissioning gender-related healthcare, and defended the existing oversight arrangements while criticising Equality and Human Rights Commission guidance as unclear.

Monique Moss, 49, of Bewbush in Crawley, was jailed for one year after pleading guilty to assaulting two women at a fireworks display, shop theft, theft by finding, driving offences, failing to provide a sample and failing to surrender to bail. The court heard she struck one woman in the face after pushing another during an argument, stole a parcel and £268 of goods, and drove while disqualified after testing positive for cocaine. Sussex Police said her offending had distressed victims and disrupted local businesses. Moss was also given a five-year Criminal Behaviour Order restricting her access to several Crawley retail parks, shops and business premises.

Papachinos has opened a renovated community hub and café at Malling Community Centre in Lewes. Owner Nicola Papanicolaou said the opening attracted strong local interest, with the venue intended for socialising and community-group hire. The café opened with a limited menu and small staff while seeking to recruit locally, and will host parkrun as its first community group. It operates daily from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., offering lunches and light meals in a dog- and child-friendly setting.

An Independent Office for Police Conduct annual report recorded two deaths in Sussex following contact with police: one apparent suicide and one classified as another type of death following police contact. Nationally, the report covered 104 deaths across 102 investigations, including 27 deaths in or following police custody, 67 apparent suicides, 15 road deaths and four fatal police shootings. Sussex Police said both local cases had been investigated internally or by the IOPC and that lessons would be acted on. The report identified mental health, drugs and alcohol as recurring factors and recommended better detention-officer training, stronger custody handovers, improved communication and decision-making, and continued support for people at risk of self-harm after release.

Archaeologist Michael Shapland has identified the surviving wall and blocked fireplace of the suite where Oscar Wilde stayed at Brighton’s Royal Albion Hotel in 1894 with Alfonso Conway. The discovery, made while assessing the Grade II listed hotel after fires in 1998 and 2023, was reconstructed through hotel plans and details from Wilde’s testimony. Conway’s later witness statement contributed to the prosecution that led to Wilde’s 1895 conviction for gross indecency. Britannia Hotels Group says it plans to preserve the building’s heritage as restoration continues.

Sussex Weald MP Nursrat Ghani has criticised South East Water after residents reported repeated outages, low pressure and problems receiving support during water restrictions. She said vulnerable residents and households on the Priority Service Register were being left without water or receiving bottled-water deliveries in inaccessible locations. South East Water attributed the pressure on supplies to prolonged hot, dry weather and exceptionally high demand, saying daily consumption had exceeded the July average and storage tanks were critically low. The company said it had no Sussex customers completely without water at the time, promised to investigate missed deliveries and would review how supplies were distributed.

Staff at Brunswick Fine Wines and Spirits in Brighton found a fledgling seagull with a bait-shaped fishing hook lodged in its beak and wing. Liam O'Raw and Alex John restrained the distressed bird with a towel rather than attempting a risky self-removal, then contacted Brighton Wildlife Animal Rescue Service. WARS responded within six minutes, transported the gull to a veterinary practice and arranged care.

Taj the Grocer has closed its London Road supermarket in Brighton, which opened in late 2022 in a former Poundstretcher location. The independent world-foods retailer, founded in 1965, continues to operate its flagship store on Western Road, selling international foods, Indian street food, fresh fruit and halal meat.

Amy Joyce, a 21-year-old veterinary student from Chichester and Miss Earth West Sussex, is using pageantry to promote animal welfare, environmental sustainability and community health. Through her Planet Pawtection project, she supports mobile vaccination clinics, school education, affordable veterinary care, responsible pet purchasing and pet-toy recycling. Joyce argues that animal, human and environmental health are interconnected and aims to demonstrate that advocacy can come through both professional expertise and public representation.

A small leak of concentrated peracetic acid, a cleaning agent used in endoscopy services, prompted the precautionary evacuation of part of Crawley Hospital. Around 120 people left the affected area while West Sussex Fire and Rescue Service and South East Coast Ambulance Service managed the incident. The area was ventilated, air-quality checks found it safe, and hospital services resumed normally; one person received a precautionary assessment and was discharged at the scene.

West Sussex Fire and Rescue Service has warned that prolonged hot, dry weather is creating a high wildfire risk across grassland, heathland and woodland. Recent fires at Abbots Wood, the South Downs and Devils Dyke demonstrate the potential damage. Residents are advised to avoid disposable barbecues, extinguish smoking materials, take litter home, remove glass bottles, avoid parking on dry grass, keep combustible materials away from garden waste and call 999 if they see a fire. Officials say public vigilance is essential to protect communities, wildlife, property and firefighters.

Cosair Toiletries Ltd has pleaded not guilty to five alleged breaches of UK cosmetics regulations after reportedly supplying Farmfoods with more than 7,000 Soul Cal & Co body mist sprays containing the prohibited substance 2(4-tert-butylbenzyl) propionaldehyde. The company says the products were intended for Australia, where the substance is not prohibited. A trial is scheduled at Brighton Magistrates’ Court on December 15.

Prakash Pushppakaran of Dyke Road, Brighton, appeared at Brighton Magistrates' Court charged with allegedly raping a woman after a night out in September 2022. He did not enter a plea and was ordered not to contact the alleged victim. His first appearance at Lewes Crown Court was scheduled for August 27.

Mary Formentone and Robin Formentone appeared at Brighton Magistrates' Court over allegations involving unauthorised payments of approximately £1.2 million from Phlorum Limited. Mary Formentone pleaded not guilty to three charges concerning criminal property, while Robin Formentone faced two charges of fraud by abuse of position and did not indicate a plea. The magistrates refused jurisdiction, and both defendants were scheduled to appear at Lewes Crown Court for a plea, trial and preparation hearing.