Vandal sent to prison after Staffordshire graffiti spree

Kieran Morley, of no fixed address, pleaded guilty to 14 charges of criminal damage between November 8-10, and one charge of theft.

The court heard the 44-year-old struck at a string of businesses in Staffordshire before handing in a note to police confessing.

Ms Abigail Hall, prosecuting, said: "On November 8, a trustee at Calf Heath village hall was notified of random patterns which had been sprayed on windows.

At Cheryl's Flower House and Washeteria launderette in Glenthorne Drive, Great Wyrley there were also squiggles on the windows and doors.

"Red spray paint was also found at Dazzling Dogs Salon on Walsall Road. The manager was able to get the majority of the paint off but some of it is still visible.

"Graffiti was discovered on the doors, windows and renderings of Calf Heath Methodist Church. There were lots of scribbles which have been removed but some of it still remains on the rendering.

"On November 11 the defendant attended Cannock Police Station and handed in a note which said he had been shoplifting and had sprayed paint on premises in the area."

Mr Mark Hemming, defending, said Morley became homeless in 2007 after falling out with his family.

Chairman of the magistrates Mr Rod Woods said the crimes were 'serious deliberately planned offences'. He sentenced Morley to 16 weeks in prison.

Joyce Bromley, 76, is a member of Calf Heath Methodist Church. She welcomed the sentence, and said: "We can't get the paint off the chapel. We had a new door fitted at the start of the year which cost us £1,200 but it has been completely ruined with paint."

"Myself and other members of the congregation have been using soap and water to get the paint off but it requires a lot of elbow grease and we are all in our late 70s and 80s."

Chris Turner, manager of Washeteria, added: "It is just senseless. It is hard enough for small businesses to make a living without having to worry about this.

"Thankfully it brought out the good in the local community because everyone helped us to get rid of the graffiti."