A graffiti vandal has been handed unpaid work after a spraying spree through Aberdeen city centre that left walls, shops, bus shelters and even a police car daubed in paint.
William Shanks’s late-night trail of damage amounted to no less than 14 charges of vandalism, which he had now admitted at Aberdeen Sheriff Court.
The offences took place in the early hours of April 14 last year with the 23-year-old first targeting a wall at Gibb Tools on King Street, along with a bus stop, parking meter and phone box on the same street.
Shanks also spray-painted walls at Rice ‘n’ Spice, James Mutch Ltd and Morrisons on King Street.
Bank, hairdressers and police car in firing line
After making his way along King Street, Shanks reached Queen Street, where he spray-painted a marked police vehicle.
The Upperkirkgate branch of Bank of Scotland was next to be hit, closely followed by a window at Angels Hair Design on Schoolhill.
Lucy boxes on Schoolhill and Back Wynd were vandalised next before Shanks reached his final targets, walls and a bin on Langstane Place.
Fiscal depute Lydia Ross told Aberdeen Sheriff Court police on patrol were advised at 3.37am of a male spray-painting a number of buildings throughout the city centre.
Graffiti vandal: ‘My apologies’
Officers traced him on Chapel Street where they discovered a spray-paint can in his bag.
The cost of the damage caused was unknown.
Shanks, of Strathearn Drive, Airdrie, appeared without a solicitor and, asked if he wanted to say anything about the offences, said: “Just my apologies.”
Sheriff Morag McLaughlin ordered him to complete 180 hours of unpaid work and be supervised for nine months.
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