Jail For Graffiti Artist Caught By Own Mobile
8:29pm Friday October 08, 2010
Adam Arnold
A prolific graffiti vandal, who was caught after he filmed himself spray painting trains, has been jailed for a year.
Robert Martin took mobile phone footage of himself
Robert Martin had mobile phone footage from the railway line and pictures of him posing with giant cannabis plants he grew in his back garden. The 23-year-old, who used the name "Wear" for his graffiti, damaged a total of 11 trains, which had to be taken out of service and professionally cleaned. Southend Crown Court heard he caused more than £45,000 worth of damage to the vehicles in Essex.
The fact that Martin was so keen on keeping a visual record of his exploits meant that in the end he was the architect of his own downfall.
<cite> DC Dave Rabbitt
</cite> Martin was arrested on October 8 last year after a train driver spotted him near to a train he had just graffitied. He ran off but was stopped by two British Transport Police officers outside Southend Victoria station and arrested. Martin, of Hockley, had continued to commit offences while on police bail. He pleaded guilty to five counts of criminal damage between October last year and May this year and one count of cannabis cultivation.Detective Constable Dave Rabbitt said: "This young man is a prolific graffiti vandal who caused substantial damage to a number of trains in the name of what he presumes is art.
Martin caused more than £45,000 worth of damage to trains
"The fact is that Martin's spray can endeavours were nothing more than wanton acts of vandalism that inconvenienced rail passengers and cost a great deal of money to clean up. "The fact that Martin was so keen on keeping a visual record of his exploits meant that in the end he was the architect of his own downfall. "The footage was powerful circumstantial evidence that proved vital in securing his guilty plea."
