Killer jailed for three-day Leeds rampage in which he robbed, stole and attacked innocent people
Homeless thug admitted long list of offences
A desperate criminal embarked on a three-day rampage in which he robbed a convenience shop, burgled a home, stole a car and attacked people, telling them: “I’m going to jail anyway.”
Convicted killer Kyle Hirst, who was previously sentenced for manslaughter, admitted a string of new offences at Leeds Crown Court on Monday.
This included robbery, burglary, three counts of theft, taking a vehicle without the owner’s consent, ABH and assault.
Between June 7 and 9, he stole parcels from an Amazon delivery van, two convenience stores, a Greggs, and a private residence – making off with numerous items, including a car.
In the Armley area of Leeds, Hirst first took several parcels from a parked Amazon delivery van.
Approximately ten minutes later, the 35-year-old brazenly entered the home of a woman where he was trying to stash the parcels he was carrying.
He walked into her home and took a set of car keys belonging to the victim’s daughter. Hirst placed some of the stolen Amazon parcels in her red Mazda and fled.
At approximately 7.55am the next morning, Hirst entered a convenience store in Cow Close Road where he forcibly took £150 from the cash till.
Footage was played to the court in which he was heard to repeatedly scream at the woman working behind the counter: “Just open the till.”
Wearing his hood up, the woman still recognised him. He added: “Do you know what’s good for you?”
Hirst also added: “I’m going to jail anyway.”
A few hours later, Hirst entered a convenience store in Thornhill Road where he threatened to rob the shop worker.
After a scuffle in which the worker pushed him out of the premises, Hirst punched him and inflicted facial injuries – before making off with his watch.
Then at around 6.30am the following day, Hirst entered a Greggs store in Butt Lane and began filling a black bin liner with a large quantity of sandwiches.
When a customer tried to stop Hirst, a struggle ensued in which the man subdued him for around 10 minutes.
But he then wriggled free and threatened the customer with further violence before leaving.
Hirst appeared in court over a video link from HMP Leeds this week where he was being held on remand.
He spent much of the hearing shaking his head and appearing to disagree with what was being said.
However, he later appeared to become emotional and wipe tears from his eyes.
Mitigating, Michael Walsh said Hirst’s crimes “almost defied belief” due to the lack of sophistication, given that he knew some of his victims.
He added: “He has expressed regret to me. He was making it clear that he had an intention of going back into custody.”
The court heard that Hirst had “hit rock bottom” and was homeless at the time.
Judge Neil Clark jailed Hirst for five years and five months.
Hirst was jailed for 12 years in 2015 after being convicted of manslaughter, along with others, after a 27-year-old man was stabbed to death.