A man has been jailed 30 months after leaving an elderly woman with a broken arm and leg injuries whilst trying to steal a bottle of alcohol from a supermarket in King’s Lynn.

Alexsandrs Kukuskins, 28, entered the Sainsburys store at the Vancouver Centre at around 3.30pm on Monday 6 April 2015 and stole a bottle of alcohol. As he ran from the store he knocked an elderly woman to the floor leaving her with the injuries which required surgery.

Officers arrested Kukuskins on the Monday 6 April 2015 and he was subsequently released on bail pending further enquiries. However, Kukuskins fled the UK and a European Arrest Warrant was issued.

Following enquiries, officers traced Kukuskins to Germany where he was arrested and brought back to the UK on Friday 11 March 2016.

Kukuskins pleaded guilty to Theft, GBH and failing to surrender to police at Norwich Magistrates Court on Friday 4 March 2016 and was sentenced to 30 months in jail at Norwich Crown Court today (Thursday 5 May 2016). He also received an order for deportation once he has served his sentence.

PC Ian Sloan, investigating officer, said: “The thoughtless actions of a thief trying to escape the scene of his crime left an elderly woman requiring serious hospital treatment and that is unforgivable.

“I am pleased with the sentence today. Kukuskins has shown no remorse or humility throughout the whole process, even going to the length of trying to hide across Europe to escape his punishment.

“On this occasion we have seen first-hand that the system may take time but that it does work. I hope today enables the victim in this case to move on from what has been an incredibly traumatic time for her and her family.”