A PROLIFIC bike thief has been jailed for breaching a court order banning him from handling, sitting on, or riding a bicycle.

Christopher Hussey has been convicted of 12 offences in Brighton since May 2019, including stealing cycles.

But despite being given a criminal behaviour order in August, just days later he was photographed riding a mountain bike in St James’s Street.

The snaps were handed over to the police, who also recognised Hussey and charged him with breaching the court order.

The Argus:

Hussey appeared before Brighton Magistrates’ Court where he was jailed for 12 weeks for the breach.

Inspector Lawrence McAndrew said: "We are pleased the court has recognised the persistence of Hussey's offending by serving him a jail sentence.

"We hope this gives him the opportunity to reevaluate and amend his behaviour.

Read more on this defendant: Brighton bike thief banned from sitting on cycles

"Anti-social behaviour and theft will not be tolerated on the streets of Brighton and we encourage anyone with information or concerns to report it to us so we can investigate."

In November last year The Argus reported how Hussey, now of New Steine Mews, Brighton, was in court for stealing a £500 bike from outside Hove Town Hall, and a £2,075 electric bike from outside the King Alfred Leisure Centre.

He also admitted stealing 17 packets of salmon and a bottle of cola from Sainsbury’s, stealing gift sets from the Body Shop, and theft of Rayban sunglasses worth £291 from Sunglass Hut at Churchill Square.

At that point Hussey had committed 97 previous offences.

The Argus:

The court heard how Hussey was on a methadone programme to beat drug addiction.

Hussey had turned up to court “worse for wear” with a bloodied mouth, bruising and swollen eye during the hearing.

The rough justice happened when he was shoved off his bike onto the pavement.

Read more on this defendant: Brighton Sainsbury's thief appears in court for his latest crimes

Magistrate David Watkins heard that Hussey has £893 in outstanding court fines and agreed not to make him pay compensation because of his “dire” finances.

He ordered the thief to complete six months of drug treatment and 15 rehabilitation sessions, and to pay £85 costs and an £85 surcharge.

Now it was revealed that Hussey has finally been jailed over his persistent crimes.

Sussex Police said: "Since May 2019, Hussey had been convicted of 12 offences, the majority of which were theft-related. Four of those, including the one which led to the CBO being granted, were for stealing bikes."