Graffiti Artist Faces Jail Term

UK

A GRAFFITI artist responsible for a one man vandalism spree across Coventry has been been sent to prison for a year.
Andrew John Smith, 21, of Allesley Old Road, Chapelfields, was convicted of causing a public nuisance when he appeared at Coventry Crown Court last Thursday (September 23).
Coventry City Council recorded at least 700 incidents of Smith's vandalism over the past year, which amounted to an estimated £30,000 worth of damage.
He often sprayed on his nicknames 'Doc 11', 'Dockee' and 'Docky' when painting on city buildings.
Some of the damage included the vandalism of shelters in the War Memorial Park, a listed bridge in Coat of Arms Bridge Road and numerous post boxes - an act considered to be an offence against the Queen.
City services chief Coun Kevin Foster said Smith's jail sentence underlines the hard line being taken against vandals in Coventry.
"We will not tolerate the mindless destruction of public and private property by those who wish to vandalise our city," he said.
"It gives a clear message to those who vandalise our city and I hope it will deter them from further offences.
"Their actions not only cost the taxpayers tens of thousands of pounds to put right, but can also cost them their liberty."
The city council have pledged to continue their crackdown on graffiti.
The authority is working with the police and city centre management company CV One to remove graffiti and catch persistent offenders.
Coventry's Community Safety Partnership, which co-ordinates action against crime and disorder, said that a number of anti-graffiti initiatives are already in operation.
A spokesman for the partnership said: "Graffiti is an eyesore which gives people the impression that no-one cares about their community and surroundings.
"Tackling graffiti is an important part of the work of various agencies in Coventry to make the city a safer - and make it feel a safer - place to live, work and visit."
The partnership has used thousands of pounds of Government funding to coat walls and buildings with a special anti-graffiti material across the city.
New anti-social behaviour laws also give local authorities power to hand £50 fixed penalty fines to graffiti painters and it will soon be illegal for shopkeepers to sell spray paints to under-16's.