Though Goode was threatened with the possibility of imprisonment at his hearing in October, the judge was persuaded to convert a potential jail term of 17 months to eight months' home detention.
His lawyer, John Kovacevic, said a lack of purpose, an antisocial attitude, a negative peer group and excessive alcohol consumption were the catalysts behind the offending and his client was trying to address those factors.
There was extended courtroom discussion about the reparation figure. It cost Auckland Council $31.46 to remove each tag and Judge Fraser set the repayment total at $14,000.
At $53 a week, Goode, who had recently found work making billboards, could clear his debt in five years.
"It'd be a little bit difficult. I was looking at maybe $25," the defendant said.
But Judge Fraser was undeterred. "There might have to be a little bit of pain associated with the payback," he said.
"Why should he not put the ratepayers back into the position they were before all this ... we have a train system to pay for."
Goode's criminal history, which involved tagging a car, shop door and a sign, was used as propensity evidence as the police built a picture of a recidivist offender.
Their case was further strengthened after a search warrant at the defendant's flat found a metal locker containing spray cans with the word "GOSYS" replicated inside and outside the cabinet.
"You have caused the ratepayers a significant cost in remediation, not to mention the affront to the community's right to enjoy the city's visual landscape untainted by visually-offensive, third-rate artwork," the judge said.
Goode was also sentenced to 150 hours' community work.
"You have been given every opportunity to remain in the community and be a productive member of society," Judge Fraser said.
"Take this opportunity, it won't come your way again."
The numbers
$31.46
Cost to Auckland Council of removing each tag
$14,000
What Goode will pay back over five years
$53
What Goode will pay back per week
150
Hours of community work
8
Months on home detention
