A MAN who daubed the newly refurbished seafront at Mablethorpe causing over £8,000 worth of damage with red paint has been ordered to carry out 200 hours unpaid work.
The damage caused to the benches. Photo: Gemma Gadd.
Skegness magistrates heard how 37-year-old Gary Sylvester was filmed by CCTV cameras painting messages on the custom made stone benches and walkwaynear the new Star of the East.
He had acted out of frustration and anger over access arrangements to see his children, the court was told.
Sylvester, of High Street, Mablethorpe had earlier pleaded guilty to causing £8,564.34 worth of damage to property belonging to East Lindsey District Council.
After reading a fast track report the magistrates ordered Sylvester to carry out 200 hours unpaid work for the community.
He was also sentenced to a community order of 18 months supervision and ordered to take part in an enhanced thinking skills programme.
The bench also ordered him to pay £60 compensation.
Prosecutor Rebecca Ritson told the court experts had been called in for advice but it had been impossible to completely remove the paint, she said.
The earlier hearing was told a total repair would have cost more than £30,000. The council were not in a position to fund that and so other lower cost options had been explored.
The chosen option was to paint the stone benches. The cost of repairs was £8,564.38 and there would be a maintenance cost of £650 per year, the court was told.
In police interview on July 4, Sylvester had apologised and fully admitted damaging the benches and walkway with emulsion paint brought from his home.
He said he had written the messages because of problems he was having with access arrangements.
Mr Hugh Connolly, representing Sylvester, said his client had committed
the damage after becoming increasingly depressed, frustrated and angry.
Sylvester wished to apologise, without reservation. He was trying to rebuild his life and to gain respect in the community, he said.
How the bill adds up
Police gave the following breakdown of the cost of the damage:
To replace the benches and make good the road surface the cost is estimated to be in the region of £30,025.00.
The benches were funded in part by a grant from Europe as part of the East Coast regeneration scheme, this money is no longer available so the cost would rest with East Lindsey District Council.
The more cost-effective option is to paint the stone benches. The cost of repairs to date and the painting of benches is £8,564.38 this is the value of the damage that Sylvester has been charged with causing.
There will also be a maintenance cost of approx £650 per annum.
http://www.louthleader.co.uk/mablethorpe-sutton-on-sea-news/290807--Seafront-vandal-must.3155182.jp
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