A “WICKED” paedophile, “dangerous” knifeman, a “remorseless” rapist, and drugs gangs were among those to be put behind bars in December.

Former police officer and Scout leader Phillip Patterson, of Alexandra Road, Burgess Hill, sexually abused a 13-year-old boy.

The 34-year-old, previously known as Philip Savidge, was jailed for six years after pleading guilty to three offences of possessing indecent images of children and three of sexual activity with a 13-year-old boy.

Sussex Police described their former officer’s behaviour as repeated and predatory flouting of the law.

He was not the only dangerous sex attacker to be jailed.

Delivery driver Mamdouh Ramzi sexually assaulted a woman in Stanmer Park, Brighton.

The victim, who cannot be identified for legal reasons, believed Ramzi, of Tillstone Street, Brighton, was a taxi driver when she was separated from friends.

The Argus:

He raped her after driving three miles to the park, and detectives said he showed no remorse to the victim.

Ramzi was sentenced to 12 years in prison and must serve at least eight before he can be considered for parole.

Meanwhile Arron Owston was jailed for 15 years after he stabbed a homeless man, leaving the victim in a coma near Pavilion Gardens, Brighton, in the summer.

The Argus:

The 28-year-old, of no fixed address, also clubbed a man over the head with a bottle, and stole items from a woman who had helped him.

He also robbed a newsagents at knifepoint, it was revealed.

An acid attacker who sprayed a corrosive fluid into a victim’s face also finally appeared in court for sentencing.

Matthew Wojcik, 19, of no fixed address, sprayed the fluid into the face of a man he knew at a cashpoint in Devonshire Road, Bexhill.

The Argus:

He was convicted of attempting to commit a robbery and applying a corrosive fluid with intent to cause grievous bodily harm.

In court he was jailed for five and a half years for the two offences.

Earlier this month, London drugs gang members found themselves in court for running the “Ace” line in Brighton.

Among seven defendants was 21-year-old Thai boxer Dylan Burke, who was jailed for three years and ten months.

Judge Christine Henson QC told him he had “thrown away” his promising career.

Jaden McKenzie and Amarie Quarrie were also jailed for their significant roles in the gang who sold class A drugs in Brighton.

The Argus:

Meanwhile members of another gang found themselves being jailed for more than 30 years.

Warrants were carried out at addresses in Lower Rock Gardens and Russell Square, Brighton, at Brunswick Square, Hove, and in The Dell, Southampton.

Drugs and cash were seized during the police operation.

Pervert Mark Grindon from Horsham found himself in court for ignoring warnings not to use computers to indulge his fantasies of teenage girls.

He kept computer and camera equipment hidden in his home, along with a ballet leotard, but was discovered and jailed for 18 months.

Meanwhile paedophile Terence Coomber, 78, from Brighton, kept thousands of sick child sex images hidden on a USB stick under his kitchen sink.

He was jailed for three years and two months.

Finally, dangerous driver Jack Robson, 20, was in court after causing serious injuries to police officers when he crashed a stolen car into them.

He claimed he had “eyesight issues” but was charged for driving with uncorrected vision.

Robson was convicted and jailed for four years and eight months for aggravated vehicle taking, causing serious injury by dangerous driving, burglary and going equipped for burglary.