Frustrated Artist Ordered To Pay Compensation After Spray Painting Soham Pavilion

TEENAGE graffiti artist Tobias Badcock has been ordered to pay �50 compensation to Soham Town Council, after admitting he used silver paint to decorate the town s pavilion in Fountain Lane. CCTV recorded the 19-year-old former art student in the act, Ely

TEENAGE graffiti artist Tobias Badcock has been ordered to pay �50 compensation to Soham Town Council, after admitting he used silver paint to decorate the town's pavilion in Fountain Lane.

CCTV recorded the 19-year-old former art student in the act, Ely magistrates were told, and he was recognised on film by a police community support officer.

When arrested, Badcock said he painted the pavilion as a "form of release."

Badcock, of Guntons Close, Soham, admitted causing criminal damage to a window at the pavilion on November 5, and breaching the terms of his current community order, imposed for offences of assault and possessing a class C drug.

"He did express remorse, he said his personal life was hard, and he had been through a difficult time," said solicitor Nicholas Barnes.

"He said it was artistic; he had been undertaking an art and design course at Cambridge Regional College, but could not continue because of financial problems."

If Badcock had finished his art course, he could have fulfilled his ambition to go to university, added Mr Barnes.

"He caused the damage because it was a release from the stress he was under.

The court ordered Badcock to carry out 216 hours of unpaid work alongside his new 12-month supervision order.