Polite vandal found guilty of 'arbitrary' damage to cars

A 47-year-old college professor scraped words into the paintwork of cars – but his messages were pretty well-spoken.

A BRITISH PROFESSOR who specialises in cities and urban life has been convicted of damaging luxury cars with graffiti that was surprisingly polite.

Stephen Graham was found guilty of using a screwdriver to scrawl inoffensive words such as ‘very silly’, ‘really wrong’ and ‘arbitrary’ into the paintwork of vehicles including a Mercedes, an Audi, and a Volvo.

Prosecutors said the spree caused £18,000 (€21,500) in damage.

Graham, who teaches at Newcastle University, pleaded guilty to criminal damage at Newcastle Crown Court.

Graham’s lawyer said the 47-year-old academic had no recollection of his August vandalism spree.

Graham previously blamed a bad reaction to alcohol, antibiotics and prescription drugs for his behaviour.

Judge James Gos said he would sentence Graham next month.

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