Graffiti costs London Underground �50m a year

A teenage graffiti vandal is being released from jail - to clean up the damage he caused.

Michael Potter, 19, was sentenced to a year behind bars after admitting spray-painting dozens of Tube trains in London.

Before sentencing him, Judge Barrington Black said he wished he could "take him by the scruff of the neck" and make him clean up the "filth".

But after jailing him, the judge was told there was a scheme where Potter, from Kenton, London, could be forced to scrub away graffiti while doing community service.

Judge Black said because of the new information he would "put his money where his mouth is" and resentenced Potter to community service as well as ordering him to pay �1,000 in compensation.

'Been foolish'

Speaking outside court Potter's solicitor Nigel Bowen said: "The family are hugely relieved. There is no doubt at all that Michael has learned his lesson.

"He appreciates he has done something very foolish and I think you can be confident he will never do anything like it again."

Sergeant Paul Guile of British Transport Police (BTP) said: "Graffiti crime is costing in excess of �50m a year and the victims are not just the London Underground, but also the good people of London using the service.

"BTP and London Underground will always seek stringent sentencing for persons brought before this court for this type of crime."

Potter had been jailed at Harrow Crown Court last week after admitting three counts of causing criminal damage and one of trespass.

He spent 10 days in a young offenders' institution before being called back to court by Judge Black.

The judge said his sentence was being overturned because there was a scheme available to make him clean up graffiti.

He has been given 200 hours community service removing graffiti from around London.

Spree ended

Potter's six-month vandalism spree defaced carriages on the Central, Northern and Bakerloo lines causing damage estimated at �10,000.

The court had heard how he used spray paint, marker pen and even etched windows to cause damage.

His spree ended when he was caught on CCTV and a member of the public recognised his picture in a national newspaper.

When he was sentenced the judge said: "If I had the power to take you by the scruff of the neck and make you clean every piece of filth off public transport in the city, I would do so."

After the judge's remarks were widely reported a probation officer told the judge there was a scheme where graffiti vandals were forced to clean up the mess.