Appeal judges quashes graffiti artist's severe sentence

Published on Friday 27 June 2008 16:50

A GRAFFITI artist who received the toughest jail term ever imposed by a Scottish court for vandalism had his sentence quashed today.

Gary Shields, 21, was locked up for 28 months after he admitted causing damage totalling thousands of pounds by spray painting graffiti on trains and railway stations.

But judges at the Appeal Court in Edinburgh quashed his sentence today, after he had spent several weeks behind bars at Barlinnie prison.

The senior judges plan to impose a new sentence in six weeks' time, which is likely to involve community service and an order to pay compensation.

Shields, a draughtsman from the Crookston area of Glasgow, told the BBC he thought the original sentence handed down at Ayr Sheriff Court in March was "a bit harsh".

His father John said he believed it was "wrong" to send somebody to prison when there was no violence involved.

He told Reporting Scotland: "To send someone to prison for a non-violent offence is just totally outrageous, I believe.

"There's been a big outcry ever since, so I think a lot of people agree with that."

The development comes after a campaign was launched by supporters to free Shields, who is dubbed "Daze" after his tag name.

Internet petitions and websites sprang up encouraging the authorities to "Free Daze".

A spokeswoman for the Appeal Court said today: "They quashed the sentence of 28 months and indicated they intended to impose a community service order and compensation order in substitution.

"The appeal has been continued for another six weeks to enable the Crown to come up with information needed for the court to impose the orders."

Detective Chief Inspector Jim McKelvie, of British Transport Police, said officers would continue to pursue people who damage property with graffiti.

"Graffiti is nothing other than vandalism and these vandals put themselves in great danger, as well as endangering the lives of rail staff and other passengers," he said.

"British Transport Police will continue to work with our colleagues in the rail industry to apprehend, gather evidence and prosecute those people who indulge in any kind of criminal activity on the rail network."