Graffiti vandal sentenced for causing damage across South London

Published by Hannah Wooderson for 24dash.com in Communities

A South London graffiti vandal has been sentenced for his involvement in a prolific campaign of criminal damage on the railways and streets in the borough of Lambeth using the tag "Dest".

Matthew Kindersley, 18, of Queen Mary Rd, Norwood, was sentenced in the City of Westminster Magistrates Court on Friday (December 12) after pleading guilty to two counts of criminal damage. A further 22 incidents were taken into consideration.

British Transport Police Graffiti Unit Detective Sergeant Pete Thrush said the charges related to damage at railway stations across south London.

"Kindersley's tagging escapades caused extensive damage to trains and rail property at Streatham and Streatham Hill stations, Strawberry Hill train depot and on trains at Victoria and Sutton between November last year to June this year.

"The cost of the damage caused by him and others amounted to nearly £20,000 including clean-up costs as well as extensive damage to buildings and homes throughout the borough of Lambeth.

"Lambeth Council has made a big commitment to remove graffiti from the borough and has worked in partnership with police in tracking down this habitual offender and ensuring his tag is permanently removed."

The court has now placed a two-year anti-social behaviour order on Kindersley and imposed a curfew, requiring him to remain at his home address between 8pm and 4am for the next three months. He is also prohibited from carrying spray paint and other graffiti paraphernalia at any time.

The court also ordered him to pay Southern railways £750 compensation for damaging their trains.

DS Thrush said: "Graffiti is an anti-social crime which impacts upon residents and passengers.

"The sentence imposed will hopefully dissuade others from wanting to embark upon this mindless vandalism."