January 7, 2020 4.05 pm This story is over 50 months old

Racially abusive Grimsby shoplifter stripped naked and smashed holding room

He cause thousands of pounds of damage
Prolific Grimsby shoplifter Kieran Kauss has been sentenced to nearly a year in jail. Photo: Humberside Police

A racially abusive and violent Grimsby shoplifter, who stripped naked in a local shop and caused thousands of pounds of criminal damage, has been sentenced to nearly a year in jail.

Kieran Kauss, 24, of David Street in Grimsby, was jailed for 50 weeks at Grimsby Magistrates’ Court for 14 counts of shop theft, common assault, causing more than £5,000 worth of criminal damage, assault by beating and two counts of racial abuse.

Kauss entered a clothing store in Freshney Place on Sunday, December 29, where he was caught attempting to walk off with an amount of stolen goods.

While detained by security staff, Kauss stripped naked and went on to cause thousands of pounds of criminal damage to a holding room by smashing an air conditioning vent and a glass panel, and ripping out ceiling tiles and wires.

When officers arrested him, Kauss then threatened and racially abused two staff members while being led away.

The offences relate to numerous incidents dating back to October 2019 that took place in stores all across Grimsby, including Top Town, Freeman Street and the East Marsh.

Jamie Allen, Neighbourhoods Sergeant at Humberside Police, said: “Kieran Kauss is an unpredictable man who would one minute be compliant and behave himself, then the next be argumentative and violent. By sending him to prison he is in the best place. His sentencing will make Grimsby a much safer place.

“People came to us with their concerns about his behaviour and I’m pleased that he will now be spending the best part of a year behind bars.

“Our work is ongoing to ensure that when Kieran Kauss is released he cannot go back to his activities and his crimes in Grimsby without greater sanctions being placed on him.

“We are determined to push for other options available to us so that the public and workers across the town can be confident that it’ll be a better place without certain offenders being in it. My officers are committed to safeguarding shops and the public against this man’s erratic behaviour and nature.”