Sussex weekly round-up: 20 April - 26 April 2024

Anarchy in the UK artworkImage source, The Arcova Trust/Enter Gallery
Image caption,

A new exhibition - Jamie Reid: A Lifetime of Radical Gestures - has opened at Brighton's Enter Gallery until 2 May

  • Published

The story about an exhibition opening in Sussex displaying work from the artist behind the Sex Pistols visuals proved a popular read this week.

A variety of local issues featured on the BBC News website, BBC Radio Sussex and BBC South East Today.

We have picked five stories from the past week in case you missed them.

Suspended jail terms for pair who left dog home alone

Image source, RSPCA
Image caption,

The emaciated dog was found at the foot of a flight of stairs

A couple who left their elderly dog alone while they went on holiday have been given suspended jail sentences.

Keith Byrne, 38, and 42-year-old Sophie Singer left their boxer Bentley in their home in Eastbourne, East Sussex, while they went on a family holiday at a Center Parc.

The dog was rescued by RSPCA inspectors called by neighbours, but a vet was unable to save the animal.

At Lewes Crown Court on Monday, Byrne was sentenced to nine months and Singer six months, both suspended for two years.

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Man who ran length of Africa reaches fundraising target

Image source, Getty Images
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Russell Cook, nicknamed “Hardest Geezer”, has raised more than £1m for charity

A man who ran the entire length of Africa has reached his fundraising target.

After complications with visas, health scares, geopolitical issues and an armed robbery, Russell Cook, nicknamed “Hardest Geezer”, crossed the finish line in Tunisia on 7 April after 352 days.

The 27-year-old from Worthing, West Sussex, said he had struggled with his mental health, gambling and drinking, and wanted to "make a difference".

He has now raised more than £1m ($1.24m) for charity.

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Tributes paid to drag queen who died following illness

Image source, Smash Talent
Image caption,

Sutton had performed on stage in pantomime in Brighton, as well as appearing on TV shows

Tributes have been paid to a drag queen who has died following an illness.

Jason Sutton, known as Miss Jason and described as a "phenomenal pantomime dame, drag queen and comedian", was confirmed to have passed away on Monday.

Sutton had performed on stage in pantomime in Brighton, as well as appearing on TV shows.

Scene Magazine posted on its Facebook page: "We are devastated to learn of the passing of Jason Sutton aka Miss Jason - a giant of our community. Our thoughts are with his friends and family at this incredibly sad time."

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Missing woman's family wait years for court ruling

Image source, Family Handout
Image caption,

Nellie Herriot, who vanished in 2012, would be 108 now

The family of a 96-year-old who went missing in Brighton 12 years ago has been waiting several years for a court to declare her death.

Nellie Herriot, who was believed to be suffering from dementia, was last seen getting off a bus in the Whitehawk area of the city on 23 April 2012 and a police investigation was inconclusive.

Ms Herriot's great-nephew, George Holland, said he had "no hope of her being found alive" and wanted to give his aunt the "dignity of a formal closure on her life".

The Judicial Office was contacted for comment on her family's claim for the declaration of her presumed death, which was made four years ago.

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Sussex man ditches socials for thousand-mile walks

Image source, Piers Ellison
Image caption,

Piers Ellison spends three-quarters of his year trekking across the world

A man from Sussex has swapped social media and smartphones for walking thousands of miles.

Piers Ellison, 27, spends three-quarters of the year trekking across the world.

Mr Ellison, who often sets off with just a backpack and paper map, said: "It's exciting, you know, you wake up in the morning you have no idea what's going to happen by the end of the day."

He will leave the UK on Friday for the US in the hope of walking the Pacific Crest Trail, a 2,650 mile trek that takes about four months to complete.

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