Design graduate punished for graffiti spree
A former design student who scratched and painted the word 'shrub' on several prominent buildings and an MTR train was sentenced to community service yesterday after he agreed to pay hundreds of thousands of dollars in compensation.
Robert Tang, 23, was ordered by Kwun Tong Court to serve 220 hours for 18 counts of criminal damage that the companies concerned estimated would cost HK$236,000 to rectify.
Magistrate Anthony Kwok Kai-on said the punishment fitted the offence because it involved painting and cleaning. 'You respect art and graffiti, and I have nothing against that, but if you damage a public area ... this court won't accept it,' he said.
The court heard that Tang, who was born and raised in Britain, had defaced buildings of the Bank of China, Vitasoy, Langham Place, the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department and a toy company, and an MTR carriage.
Tang and his family had offered compensation to all the companies, and had so far paid three in whole or part, defence counsel Kenny Chow Yin-wo said before sentencing.
Earlier, the prosecution calculated damages at HK$160,000, but prosecutor Matthew Lam Hoi-yue said the companies involved had increased the figure. The MTR Corporation had changed its claim most, from HK$110,000 to HK$180,000.
Bank of China and the toy company will not pursue further claims after accepting Tang's compensation offer. Mr Kwok ordered Tang to pay HK$36,000 to Langham Place's management company, Great Eagle Properties Management, and said the MTR Corp, which had already accepted HK$100,000, should seek its remaining claim in civil proceedings or by negotiation. Tang is to pay compensation of hundreds of dollars to the food and hygiene department and Vitasoy.
Tang left court with his parents without commenting.
Tang works in a photo company in Britain and studied design. His employer had agreed to take him back after he completed his community service in the city, Mr Chow said.
Mr Kwok said he had considered sending Tang to a detention centre, but decided against it because Tang suffered from an irregular heartbeat.
The court heard police became aware of graffiti on the MTR train carriage and Bank of China windows, and on cable poles and walls in malls, in November last year and caught Tang red-handed.
