A notorious vandal has pleaded guilty to causing more than £12,000 worth of graffiti damage to the streets of Ely.
Samuel Buttery was reported to police after an East Cambridgeshire District Council employee witnessed him vandalising property while wearing a high viz coat outside the NatWest bank in Newnham Street, Ely in June.
CCTV footage was then used to identify and apprehend Buttery who used the handle 'snot'.
During his vandalising spree Buttery from New Barns Avenue, Ely spray painted “snot” tags in at least 57 locations including council bins, bus stops, trees, street signs, telecommunication hubs and shop fronts, causing thousands of pounds worth of damage to council and privately owned property.
He was sentenced at Cambridgeshire Magistrates’ Court on Monday (16 December) to four months in prison, suspended for two years, after pleading guilty to 14 counts of criminal damage at an earlier hearing. He must also carry out 150 hours unpaid work and pay £3,433.01 in compensation.
Lis Every, Chair of the East Cambridgeshire Community Safety Partnership which brings together representatives from the police, the Federation of Small Businesses and East Cambridgeshire District Council, as well as other organisations working together to protect the local community from crime and help people feel safe, said: “We hope this sends out a clear message that graffiti without permission is not unacceptable. As well as devaluing property it also contributes to a sense of urban decay and is often associated with criminal activity or gang culture.
“I would like to pass on my thanks to council employee who reported the incident and would encourage anyone else who witnesses graffiti taking place to report it.
“We hope this case reinforces the strong message that this type of damage will not be tolerated and those responsible will be caught and put before the courts.”
Graffiti can be reported to the council for removal but should also be reported to the police so that appropriate action can be taken.
For more information visit the graffiti page on East Cambridgeshire District Council’s website.
You can read the full report on Cambridgeshire Constabulary's website.