One of the most persistent criminals in Sussex died minutes after police came to arrest him.

Anthony Tuppen was found slumped on the floor at his home in Hove as he was about to be taken into custody for failing to appear in court.

He was due to answer charges of driving while disqualified and uninsured and with his long record he could well have faced another jail term if convicted.

Mr Tuppen, 25, was jailed for 15 months in 2001 when he and a second man admitted two charges of assault and possession of weapons.

Lewes Crown Court heard he already had eight convictions for 45 previous crimes.

He asked for a further 31 motoring and theft offences to be taken into consideration.

Police believe Mr Tuppen died from an overdose but tests are continuing.

His death is not being treated as suspicious.

He was found by police at his home in Sunninghill Drive, Hove, at about 3.30pm on Wednesday.

Paramedics took him to the Royal Sussex County Hospital, Brighton, where he died.

Mr Tuppen and a second man had a combined tally of 138 convictions.

At the 2001 hearing the court heard how the pair attacked a couple with a baby while trying to steal their car from the Princess Royal Hospital car park in Haywards Heath.

The couple and a nine-month-old baby had been visiting a sick relative at the hospital when they came across Mr Tuppen and the second man sitting in their car.

The second man threatened the baby's father with a screwdriver and wrestled with him.

Mr Tuppen brandished a multi-tool instrument while the terrified woman cradled her baby.

The pair failed to start the car and ran away.

Mr Tuppen admitted breaking a conditional discharge imposed after he was convicted of two charges of criminal damage when he tried to break into his girlfriend's home in Haywards Heath.

He also admitted being in possession of a knife in December 1999, when he pointed a flick knife at a barmaid at the Palmeira pub in Cromwell Road, Hove.

Mr Tuppen admitted driving a motorbike while disqualified and more than twice over the legal drink-drive limit.

He also admitted twice being a passenger in stolen cars.

Police were disappointed with the sentence Mr Tuppen received.

Former Sussex Police detective Ron Coxhead said: "It sends the wrong message to criminals and the public.

"We were expecting sentences at least double that amount.

"So much work went into the investigation and the sentencing should reflect the crime."

Sussex Police today declined to comment on Mr Tuppen's death.

His family has been informed and an inquest is expected to be held.