A WEST Albury youth who graffitied a NSW Department of Education vehicle has escaped without having to pay compensation.
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The youth, 15, pleaded guilty last month to a charge of damaging property and magistrate Tony Murray adjourned the case for police to obtain a quote for the damage.
Police prosecutor Sgt Andrew Pike said in Albury Children’s Court yesterday the damage bill was $50, but no compensation had been sought.
Mr Murray fined the youth $100 without imposing a conviction.
The youth sprayed the black letters “W, S, B” on the driver’s door of a departmental vehicle in October.
But as he put his tag for “West Side Boys”, he was being watched by a witness. His arrest followed a complaint to police.
The youth walked past a Hyundai Elantra in Mott Street about 4.30pm on October 24.
It was parked opposite the West Albury Public School and had been leased by a truancy officer with the department.
The youth took a spray can from his pocket and put the letters on the door as a witness standing nearby looked on.
The truancy officer, who was attending a school, found the damage when he returned to his vehicle about 4.45pm and immediately contacted police.
Mr Murray was told the youth is doing year 10, regretted what he did and had admitted it was stupid.