Roy Robotham, 19, and Benjamin Taylor, 20, daubed black and white paint on 22 camera lenses along a stretch of the A51 in Staffordshire earlier this year.

Taylor told police he did it "out of frustration, propaganda and stupidity".

Magistrates in Cannock also ordered the pair to each pay more than �1,000 in compensation and �30 costs.

False claim

Sara Beddow, prosecuting, told the court that Taylor, a clerical worker, had been disgruntled about receiving a speeding fine.

They were each charged with causing �2,283 worth of damage to cameras on two occasions between March 10 and April 29.

The pair, who were living together in a flat in Horsefair, Rugeley, were arrested in May after telling a neighbour what they had done.

The men each pleaded guilty to six counts of criminal damage on the road between Rugeley and Sandon and asked for 16 other offences to be taken into consideration.

Robotham, who is currently unemployed, also admitted one separate count of dangerous driving and was disqualified for 12 months.

In an unconnected incident, Taylor also pleaded guilty to failing to report an accident and making a false insurance claim.

For that incident he was disqualified from driving for six months and ordered to pay an additional �4,196 in compensation.