A 24-year-old man has been jailed for attempting to snatch a watch off another man's wrist. 

Aaron Reeve, 24, unemployed, of no fixed address, pleaded guilty to the offence at Lewes Crown Court on Wednesday November 23. 

He was sentenced to eight months' imprisonment and ordered to pay a £140 victim surcharge.

At about 7.30m on Tuesday May 24, a couple were walking through Mount Noddy Cemetery, off Blackwell Road when they became aware Reeve stumbling around in front of them. 

The couple, engaeged in conversation with the suspect, but during the incident he became aggressive and attempted to snatch the man's bracelet from his wrist. 

The couple, both in their 20s and not from the area, walked away and called police. They were left shaken but unhurt. 

Reeve was later identified and arrested on suspicion of attempted robbery. 

Sergeant Graeme Prentice, of the East Grinstead Neighbourhood Policing Team (NPT), said: "This was a totally unprovoked attacked which left the victims understandably distressed.

"Local knowledge from East Grinstead NPT officers identified Reeve as a potential suspect due to the descriptions of his appearance and behaviour. As a result, he was arrested and charged with the offence, to which he subsequently pleaded guilty.

"His sentence will hopefully provide some reassurance not only to the victims, but to the local community as well. This sort of behaviour will not be tolerated and any offenders will be dealt with robustly."