Appeal judges fine graffiti vandal who was jailed

Published on Wednesday 27 August 2008 00:32

A NOTORIOUS graffiti artist who was given Scotland's longest-ever jail term for vandalism has been fined £4,500 and ordered to carry out 200 hours' community service.

Gary Shields, 21, of Glasgow, admitted spray-painting train carriages and stations across the country, causing 12,000 damage.

He was jailed earlier this year at Ayr Sheriff Court for the offences, which he committed between July 2004 and November 2006.

Shields, who served two months in Barlinnie prison before his release, carried out the graffiti using the nickname "Dayz".

But his 28-month prison sentence was overturned at the Court of Appeal in June after he claimed he had turned over a new leaf.

Yesterday, High Court judges Lords Reed and Wheatley, sitting at the Appeal Courts in Edinburgh, ordered Shields to pay compensation and to perform community service.

Last night, a court source said: "He's been told to pay the fine at 500 a month. The money has to go to EWS Freight, Network Rail and Scotrail."