TWO men face jail after graffiti was sprayed on trains at Huddersfield Railway Station.
David Broadbent, 20, of Brook Street, Brighouse, and 18-year-old Paul Scott, of Tyersal Avenue, Bradford, both pleaded guilty to causing damage to trains and lineside infrastructure belonging to Northern Rail.
A judge heard yesterday that Broadbent’s activities between December 2008 and July last year could have cost up to £10,000 to clean up while Scott’s involvement amounted to damage valued at between £3,000 and £5,000.
They daubed tags – their distinctive graffiti ‘signature’ – on trains and walls at the town’s train station and other stations throughout the region.
Bradford Crown Court heard that others were involved in the spate of offending which covered attacks on rolling stock and buildings in Huddersfield, Brighouse, Leeds, Skipton and Bramley.
In total the damage across the region could cost £24,000 to remove.
Both defendants had been due to stand trial at Bradford Crown Court this week, but the pair entered guilty pleas to acceptable charges before a jury was sworn in.
Scott pleaded guilty to the two damage allegations earlier this week and yesterday Broadbent also admitted the same charges.
The duo have both been granted bail pending the sentence hearing, but Judge John Potter told Broadbent that the pair should both prepare themselves for custody.
“This is serious offending Mr Broadbent,” the judge told him.
“People who behave as you did, and indeed as Mr Scott did, are normally sent to custody.
“You must prepare yourself, as indeed must Mr Scott, to receive an immediate custodial sentence when you are next before me on November 25.”
The court heard that the prosecution would also be considering applications for anti-social behaviour orders against both defendants.
Broadbent’s basis of plea to the damage charges is understood to relate to graffiti attacks on nine trains, seven of them in the Huddersfield area, and five lineside locations.
Scott’s pleas related to two trains and 13 lineside structures.
