AN Albury youth involved in graffiti which cost the council almost $5000 to remove could be the first person in the city to take part in a community clean-up order.

The youth, 17, has seven days to decide whether he pays fines imposed on two charges or cuts them out by cleaning graffiti at a $30 hourly rate.

He pleaded guilty in Albury Children’s Court yesterday to two counts of aggravated intentionally marking premises.

Solicitor Sue Robey said she had spoken to a Juvenile Justice Service officer and suggested it may be appropriate for a youth justice conference.

“That may be his view, not mine,” magistrate Tony Murray responded.

“This would be a classic case for me to impose a community service order to rectify tags in the Albury region.

“Thankfully, Albury is not inundated with this tagging.”

Mr Murray said he wanted to send a message to the community that significant financial penalties apply along with the possibility of jail for such matters.

But there is a maximum restriction of $1000 compensation available on each charge under legislation.

The court was told in tendered facts that the youth was accompanied by at least one other person when he went to the multi-storey Volt Lane car park about 4pm on September 2.

He tagged multiple points on levels 1 and 2 with graffiti along with stairwells, pillars, signs, partitions and elevators.

The youth tried to avoid getting paint on his hand by using a glove.

He was seen by two people going to get their cars and the youth drove off, but the witnesses got his car’s registration.

The witnesses later gave a spray can and glove to investigating police.

Similar tags were sprayed around the Wilson Street multi-level car park, but the youth has refused to divulge to police the others involved.

It took 22 hours at each location for council workers to clean up the mess.

Ms Robey said the former Albury High student became involved with school friends, but has since distanced himself from the negative peer group.

The youth works for his father in his business.

A Juvenile Justice officer said the youth was a suitable candidate for a community clean-up order, but the service has never previously been involved with the council in such a venture.

The youth was fined $420 and ordered to pay $750 compensation on each of the charges.