Graffiti vandals jailed – Merseyside

Two vandals who caused more than £100k damage to the railway were sentenced at Liverpool Crown Court on Friday, following a British Transport Police investigation.

Kyle Smith, aged 26, of Ribble Street, Birkenhead and Aiden Williams, aged 28, of Treetops Drive, Wirral, both pleaded guilty to two counts of conspiracy to commit criminal damage.

Williams received a 16 month jail term and a 10 year criminal behaviour order.
Smith was sentenced to 12 months’ imprisonment, suspended for 12 months. He was also ordered to carry out 150 hours unpaid work and handed a 10 year criminal behaviour order.

The court heard how the pair committed more than 40 offences, vandalising Merseyrail trains in the Wirral over a 20 month period between January 2018 and September 2019. The total cost of the damage caused by the two defendants across all trains, networks and infrastructure was £123,276.19.

The tags were attributed to Smith and Williams after their arrests led to a search of their homes which resulted in various items of evidence being seized.

In police interview Smith, who was arrested first, admitted the offences and told how he joined forces with Williams in April 2018.

He admitted the frequency of the vandalism saw them damaging trains or property up to three or five times a week.

On Williams’ arrest he also admitted all the offences.

Detective Constable Scott McCabe from British Transport Police said: “There is a common misconception that graffiti is a victimless crime – this is not the case. Apart from the financial cost to the railway, when trains are taken out of service for repairs or cleaning this results in a knock on effect to the rail passenger causing delays and disruption.

“It also increases fear of crime on the railway.

“Not to mention the dangers involved in trespassing on the railway. Trains reach extremely high speeds and strong currents also run through the cables and can pass 650 volts through anyone who touches them.

“It is hoped that today’s sentences strike a chord with other vandals and give them pause before they carry out criminal damage on the railway.

“If you notice anyone acting suspiciously or vandalising the railway, you can easily report it to us by discreetly texting 61016 or calling 0800 40 50 40.”

Greg Suligowski, Head of Communications at Merseyrail, said: “Instances of graffiti on our trains directly impacts the customer service we are able to offer. Every train that needs to be withdrawn from service to have graffiti removed is one less out on our network meeting the needs of our customers.

“Besides the inconvenience to our customers and unnecessary cost of putting things right, those vandalising the railway in this way are putting themselves at risk of electrocution in accessing areas they shouldn’t be in.

“We welcome this sentencing and hope that the severity of the sentences issued deters any future vandals from carrying out similar criminal damage on our network.”