A MURDERER, rapist and a prolific shop thief were among those jailed for their crimes in January.

Defendants appeared before the courts for their sentencing hearings in Sussex.

They included double killer Daniel Appleton who murdered his wife Amy Appleton and Sandy Seagrave in Crawley Down.

The 38-year-old was high on powerful hallucinatory drugs when he battered the women to death with a metal walking crutch on his driveway.

Witnesses saw the nightmarish scene unfold as Appleton, clad in only his pants, loomed over both women and clubbed them to death.

They said Appleton looked like the "Incredible Hulk".

Daniel Appleton has been found guilty of the murders of his wife and a pensioner in Crawley Down

Daniel Appleton has been found guilty of the murders of his wife and a pensioner in Crawley Down

He was jailed for life, to serve a minimum of 26 years behind bars before he can even be considered for parole.

Rapist Lee Reeves appeared in court and was convicted of attacking a Sussex woman.

The victim, who cannot be identified for legal reasons, reported how Reeves had on one occasion choked her, spat on her and kicked her.

Lee Reeves has been jailed over rape and coercive control

Lee Reeves has been jailed over rape and coercive control

At Lewes Crown Court Reeves, 42, was jailed for nine years.

Christina Whelan made the headlines for all the wrong reasons as she was jailed for spitting at and punching police and staffat the Royal Sussex County Hospital.

The 35-year-old alcoholic shouted "I know I'm f****** positive" as she launched her spit attack and tirade.

Christina Whelan has been jailed for spitting at police and hospital staff while positive with coronavirus in Brigton

Christina Whelan has been jailed for spitting at police and hospital staff while positive with coronavirus in Brigton

She was jailed for nine months.

Prolific Worthing shoplifter Kirsten Hocking was sent to prison after breaching her criminal behaviour order not to enter stores.

She has previously been banned from every Waitrose, Poundland, Marks and Spencer and Wilkos store in the country.

The 35-year-old was seen in Boots where she threatened staff with a needle.

Kirsten Hocking has been jailed for shoplifting in Worthing. Again. January 2020

Kirsten Hocking has been jailed for shoplifting in Worthing. Again. January 2020

Hocking was jailed for six months.

Knifeman Ryan Evans was seen brandishing a blade in Crawley, and fled when police arrived.

The 27-year-old was tracked down by Police Dog Polly.

When he was caught the scaffolder tried to headbutt a police officer.

Knifeman Ryan Evans from Crawley was tracked down by PD Polly

Knifeman Ryan Evans from Crawley was tracked down by PD Polly

Evans admitted possession of an offensive weapon and assaulting an emergency worker and was jailed for eight months.

Despicable robber Tara Perry took advantage of a disabled man's kindnessby making him drive her all around Hastings and St Leonards.

Eventually she led him to a quiet area outside the town centre and shoved the vulnerable man off his mobility scooter.

Perry, 33, stole the man's cash which he had withdrawn in order to pay his bills.

Tara Perry took advantage of a disabled man and then robbed him in Waldegrave Street, Hastings

Tara Perry took advantage of a disabled man and then robbed him in Waldegrave Street, Hastings

The victim was eventually helped back home by two youths who pushed the mobility scooter.

Perry was jailed for six years and three months for the robbery.

Dangerous driver Nathan Gardner led police on a 25-minute chase at speeds of up to 133mphin his Porsche.

The 45-year-old "panicked" when he saw blue flashing lights and sped off after a night out attending a boxing event.

Gardner, a father-of-11, refused to give a breath test of drugs swipe to police to show if he was over the limit.

Nathan Gardner was jailed for dangerous driving in a Porsche, hitting speeds of up to 133mph

Nathan Gardner was jailed for dangerous driving in a Porsche, hitting speeds of up to 133mph

At Hove Crown Court he was jailed for ten months.

Finally Woodingdean burglar Daniel Meehan was jailed.

The 28-year-old had been on Sussex Police's most wanted list, and when he fled from officers he suffered a broken ankle.

It was revealed how he had burgled two homes in Woodingdean, leaving the occupiers terrified.

Daniel Meehan is wanted on suspicion of burglaries in Woodingdean

Daniel Meehan is wanted on suspicion of burglaries in Woodingdean

At one of the properties to stole a car which was later found torched.

He was jailed for three years and two months.