Eastbourne's Sheikh Abid Gulzar found not guilty of knife offence

Sussex pier owner and hotelier Sheikh Abid Gulzar, 81, has been found not guilty of possession of a knife in a public place.

Following a 90-minute trial at Brighton Magistrates' Court, District Judge Amanda Kelly acquitted the businessman after ruling that he had a valid reason for having the blade in his vehicle. 

Case Details

• The Incident: Police originally stopped the 81-year-old hotelier in May 2025 while he was driving a Ford van in Eastbourne. A subsequent search of the vehicle uncovered a bladed fishing knife inside the glove compartment. 
• The Defense: Known locally as "Mr Goldfinger", Mr Gulzar testified that the knife was kept strictly for cutting up fish and clearing weeds at his personal lake in Pevensey. He added that he also used it to treat sheep afflicted by maggots on his land. Officers confirmed that relevant fishing tackle and nets were found in the back of the van. 
• The Verdict: Judge Kelly noted she was "just about persuaded" that Mr Gulzar possessed a legitimate, lawful reason for having the knife in his car on that specific day. 

Upcoming Legal Proceedings

While cleared of the knife charge, Mr Gulzar continues to face separate legal challenges on the south coast:

• Fraud Trial: Mr Gulzar is scheduled to stand trial in November 2026 at Hove Crown Court alongside a co-defendant. He has pleaded not guilty to 10 counts of fraud totaling £150,000 regarding the alleged evasion of water bills at hotels in Eastbourne and Hailsham. 
• Corporate Liquidations: This follows a series of financial pressures on his business operations, including a compulsory winding-up order issued in May 2026 against Lions Pier Limited, the operator of Eastbourne Pier.