Graffiti tagger prosecuted for criminal damage

On 9 February 2022, Christopher Gillman, of Aldridge Close, St Pauls, Cheltenham was prosecuted for causing criminal damage at Cheltenham Magistrates Court, and received conditional discharge and fines.

Mr Gillman pleaded guilty to committing 12 counts of criminal damage by graffiti tagging in the borough over a one month period, contrary to Section 1 of the Criminal Damage Act 1971.

The court issued a 12 month conditional discharge and Mr Gillman was ordered to pay £400 costs to the council and a £22 victim surcharge to the court.

Cllr Martin Horwood, cabinet member for customer and regulatory services, said: “Street art can be wonderful but criminal damage isn’t. This prosecution sends a warning that harmful graffiti or tagging will not be tolerated. We want to be proud of our town and our neighbourhoods and graffiti can blight local communities with the real cost of the damage running into very significant sums of money. 

‘’The council works constantly with other partners to reduce unwanted graffiti in Cheltenham. We celebrate and welcome great street art in the right places and we all have our favourites. We support the Cheltenham Paint Festival and work proactively with local artists to support art in agreed locations and where the landowner has given consent.”

Mike Redman, director of environment, continued: "We work with the community and businesses to ensure graffiti is removed effectively with minimal impact on the environment, but the cost of this is significant. Residents are asked to report graffiti and tagging online, so our neighbourhood officers can investigate and arrange removal from public land, or with our support, by private landowners. When offenders can be identified the council will serve fixed penalty notices, or prosecute in more serious cases.’’

Report graffiti online www.cheltenham.gov.uk/report-graffiti call 01242 262626 or on social media @CBCEnviroHealth.

For media enquiries contact [email protected] or call 01242 264231.