Man who spray-painted graffiti across local towns caught by officers

A man who spray-painted graffiti across Hinckley, Barwell and Earl Shilton has been issued with a Criminal Behaviour Order after being caught in the act by local officers.

Joshua Harper, 24, started spray-painting different “tags” across the towns last year.

But when officers were carrying out a patrol in the Barwell Lane area of Hinckley in November last year to try and identify the person responsible for the graffiti, Harper was caught after graffitiing a wall. He was found to still be in possession of cans of paint at the time.

Some of the graffiti carried out by Harper

 

Harper was arrested and an investigation was carried out by the local beat team with more than 540 different bits of graffiti identified affecting 52 different victims. Areas graffitied included canal bridges, underpasses, skate parks, walls, lampposts and litter bins.

 At Leicester Magistrates Court earlier this month (Monday 8 November), Harper, of Shilton Road, Barwell, pleaded guilty to 52 offences of criminal damage as well as one count of possession of cannabis. He was found in possession of cannabis at the time of his arrest.

He was issued with a Criminal Behaviour Order which prohibits him from possessing a permanent marker pen or spray paint in a public place for a period of two years. He was also issued with a community order to carry out 100 hours of unpaid work.

 

Police Constable Darren Measures said: “The graffiti carried out by Harper caused a blight on the local communities and spoiled parts of the towns which should be there for local residents and visitors to enjoy. There is also of course the costs which are involved to clear the graffiti up.

“Officers took proactive action to identify Harper and bring him to court to stop this crime from continuing.

“Anyone who has any information regarding anti-social behaviour including criminal damage is urged to speak to us and report it to us so that we can continue to take the necessary action to help keep our communities safe and protected.”