A Brighton man has appeared in court charged with 16 counts of causing criminal damage after police identified him as a prolific "tagger".
Detectives linked Paul Harris, 50, of Robert Street in Brighton, to 21 separate tags in Brighton city centre over a three-week period in June.
The same distinctive image was found spray-painted on trees and buildings around the Royal Pavilion, Mash Tun, the Colonnade Bar, New Road and Robert Street, causing damage in excess of £3,000.
After the first image was discovered on the wall of Brighton Unitarian Church in New Road on June 2, a swift investigation soon identified a suspect and on Tuesday, June 15, Harris was arrested at his home address on suspicion of causing criminal damage.
A search of the property found items linking him to the offences, as well as Class A and B drugs (MDMA and Cannabis respectively. He was further charged for possession.
He will appear before Brighton Magistrates’ Court on Thursday, November 4.
Investigating officer PC Jack Page said:
“Illegal graffiti is a blight on our city that defaces our public spaces and wastes valuable time and resources in having it removed.
“Cracking down on graffiti and vandalism is a priority for officers in Brighton and Hove and these charges prove we are committed to conducting full and thorough investigations into reports in order to bring perpetrators to justice.”
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