A prolific criminal has been jailed for four years and two months for burglary and drug dealing.
Nicholas Huggins, also known as Nick Huggins, was sentenced on Wednesday (9 October) at Lewes Crown Court by Judge Christine Laing, the honorary recorder of Brighton and Hove.
Huggins, 36, of Millward Road, Hastings, pleaded guilty to having crack cocaine with intent to supply, two counts of attempted burglary and two counts of burglary.
The defendant, formerly of Mount Pleasant Road, Hastings, pleaded guilty to all the charges and asked for 25 other offences to be taken into consideration.
William Saunders, prosecuting, said that Huggins was caught drug dealing in Hughenden Road, Hastings, last December, close to his Mount Pleasant Road address.
A few months later, on Thursday 21 March, he tried to break in to two neighbouring business premises in High Street, Hastings, on the same day – Porters wine bar and antique shop Merchant 57.
Huggins admitted breaking into Alternative and Complementary Medicine, at St Andrew’s Shopping Mews, in Waldegrave Street, Hastings, on Monday 1 April and stealing a phone.
He also admitted stealing laptops in a burglary at electricals shop Power Up, in Queen’s Road, Hastings, on Saturday 8 April.
Sussex Police said: “On Sunday 3 December 2023, police saw Nicholas Huggins exit an address in Mount Pleasant Road, acting suspiciously.
“He was seen around 30 minutes later exiting the same address. Officers followed him and witnessed a suspected drug deal in Hughenden Road.
“When Huggins was approached and detained, he dropped a plastic bag containing 16 wraps of crack cocaine.
“He was arrested and, following a search of his property, in Mount Pleasant Road, a bag containing large amounts of crack cocaine and heroin was found.
“While he was on bail for this incident, he committed a burglary series between Thursday 21 March and Saturday 6 April in the town.
“On Thursday 21 March, Huggins attempted to enter a store, in High Street, and caused £400 worth of damage to the front door. He was unsuccessful in entering.
“Later that day, he tried another business on the same street but again had no luck in breaking in and caused damage to the door.
“On Sunday 31 March, Huggins forced entry into a business in St Andrew’s Market and stole a phone.
“A week later, on Saturday 6 April, he smashed a window of a store on Queen’s Road and stole four laptops. He was then arrested.
“Huggins, 36, was charged with possession with intent to supply a class A drug, two counts of attempted burglary and two counts of burglary. He pleaded guilty to all charges.
“He also admitted committing 25 other burglaries in the Hastings area which were taken into consideration at sentencing.
“He was sentenced to a total of four years and two months’ imprisonment when appearing before Lewes Crown Court on Wednesday (9 October).”
Detective Constable Auryn Liddiard said: “We will continue to identify those selling these dangerous class A drugs on our streets and stop them.
“Huggins broke his bail conditions and continued his offending, this time targeting local businesses, who should not have to deal with this behaviour.
“He was a drug dealer intent on causing harm to others for his own financial gain. The sentencing of Huggins shows how seriously the courts deal with those peddling class A drugs in our community, and those who cause distress.”
