Craig Kemp faces Ballarat court over public defecation, swath of thefts

A 50-year-old man who defecated on a front lawn shoved mouthwash and furniture polish down his pants before stealing a Collingwood jumper and a pair of jeans from Ballarat shops.

Craig Kemp, 50, defecated on a Wendouree lawn in March 2024. Picture: File

A Ballarat man defecated on a woman’s front lawn and stole from an op shop, telling a worker there the theft was an alternative to killing him.

Craig Kemp, 50, appeared at Ballarat Magistrates’ Court from custody on Wednesday over multiple thefts.

The court heard that at 7.50pm on March 21 this year, Kemp defecated on the front lawn of a Wendouree home.

When confronted by the home’s occupant, he waved a wine bottle at her threateningly and threatened to smash her house and car windscreen.

Kemp faced court from custody on Wednesday.

The same month, Kemp took multiple bottles of Jim Beam from BWS at Stockland Wendouree Shopping Centre and stuck mouthwash, a candle, Mr Sheen spray, and more down his pants at Ryans IGA Northway in Ballarat North.

He shouted “I have Covid” to a worker as he left, before the items fell out of his clothes and onto the ground outside.

In April, Kemp took a Collingwood jumper from Best&Less in Bridge Mall in front of an employee.

In September he went to the Ballarat Uniting Op Shop, whose manager recognised Kemp thanks to his “distinctive teeth”.

Kemp put a pair of jeans under his jumper and told the manager: “I’m taking these so I don’t have to take your life”.

Magistrate Costas Kilias said some of Kemp’s offending was “disgusting”.

“That’s really disgraceful behaviour,” he said.

Kemp pleaded guilty and was sentenced to three months’ imprisonment with 25 days already served.