Graffiti vandal is sent to jail for 90 days

One senior policeman said: "It is very unusual to see a tag 'artist' put behind bars but we are delighted - graffiti blights our city."

Paul Shane Jones, 25, of Carden Avenue, Patcham, Brighton, was sentenced on Monday after being found guilty of criminal damage in March last year to a commemorative plaque at the Royal Sussex County Hospital, Brighton.

Jones, known for the tag 'HOKS', is believed to be behind as many as 300 daubings around the city during the past few years.

He was convicted at Brighton Magistrates Court after hospital CCTV footage showed him scratching his tag on the hospital plaque.

District Judge Arnold also imposed a two-year antisocial behaviour order (Asbo) which bans him from carrying paint, marker pens, shoe dye, permanent ink, any grinding stone, glass cutter or etching solution in any form.

He is also banned from being in the company of graffiti vandals anywhere in England and Wales.

Inspector Nev Kemp said: "I was surprised but satisfied with the sentencing.

"Offenders in the past have not been punished so severely and I believe this sentence sends out the right message. Graffiti disfigures and blights communities and we should not tolerate it.

"We will continue to pursue offenders robustly."

PC Tim Craig, who investigated Jones, said: "I am glad to see the courts are backing up Sussex Police and Brighton and Hove City Council in giving severe punishments for antisocial behaviour crimes such as this one.

"Graffiti tags plague our city and have an impact on all of us.

"Most graffiti taggers will do multiple tags and often repeat the same tag throughout the city without regard to the consequences.

"Sussex Police, with the help of the city council and the backing of the courts, is able to show that graffiti tags are not acceptable in our city.

"A strong message is being sent to all taggers which will remind them that this is a crime which is not going to be tolerated."