VANDAL Dean Morse was ordered to pay £2,000 compensation after he pleaded guilty to 18 counts of spraying graffiti on buildings in the Brunel Shopping Centre.

The 22-year-old from Chandler Close was also banned from having any spray paint in his possession in public anywhere in Wiltshire following his appearance before Swindon magistrates on Wednesday.

The court heard the damage happened between the evening of October 14 last year and the early hours of the following day.

As well as paying compensation, Morse was told he must complete 120 hours of unpaid labour during the next year and pay a victim surcharge and court costs totalling more than £100.

PC Paul Bezzant, from Wiltshire Police, said: "The nature of this crime hits the local community hard, it impacts on people's property and lives.

"I welcome the result, especially as an offence like this is not often detected. It's good that this person has been caught, he's pleaded guilty and an appropriate punishment has been handed out.

"Hopefully, it will also act as a deterrent to others who may consider carrying out this type of destructive behaviour."

Swindon Borough Council’s cabinet member for StreetSmart Keith Williams said: “Incidents of anti-social behaviour such as graffiti tags are a blight on our communities and cost taxpayers money to clear up, which could be better spent elsewhere.

“Most of these tags were on people’s property and working with inSwindon, we have cleaned or removed the ones that were brought to our attention.

“The council is trying hard to improve the town centre and these unsightly eyesores are not helping our cause.

He warned: “We will prosecute if we identify the perpetrators and I would encourage anyone who spots any such activity to report it as soon as possible."

Visit swindon.gov.uk/reportgraffiti to report graffiti.