‘Prolific’ Hastings offender is jailed

Scott Starr, 40, of no fixed address in Hastings, was sentenced to 26 weeks in prison for two counts of assault, two counts of receiving stolen goods, possession of class A drugs and theft, police said.

A police spokesman said: “This has been a good result for Hastings Police, the Hastings community, and businesses in the town centre who have been affected by his crimes.”

John Bownas, manager of the Hastings Business Improvement District and co-ordinator of the borough’s Shopwatch scheme, said Starr was a regular offender among a small group of shoplifters who ‘impact dramatically on the town’.