Jail for Masterton graffiti 'artist'

Judge Barbara Morris sentenced Masterton man Terrance Alex Mcleod, 26, to two and a half months imprisonment for causing over $6500 worth of property damage. FILE PHOTO

A tagger who caused thousands of dollars worth of damage throughout Masterton has been sentenced to two and a half months in prison.

In the Masterton District Court yesterday Judge Barbara Morris sentenced Masterton man Terrance Alex Mcleod, 26, to two and a half months imprisonment for causing over $6500 worth of property damage.

Mcleod had previously pleaded guilty to 27 charges of wilful damage relating to graffiti done around the town between July and September 2014.

Mcleod's individual tag was "RAW" or "RAW ONE" and Judge Morris said it had been seen throughout the community.

He had initially been caught tagging at Mitre 10 Mega and had immediately admitted to a number of other tags at schools and private properties including Postie Plus, Lansdowne Bowling Club and Red Star Rugby Club.

What made the offending more serious was that he had been granted bail and had then proceeded to reoffend, Judge Morris said.

Due to Mcleod's inability to pay for the damage and the number of charges, she was forced to consider a sentence of imprisonment, she said.

She said she took into consideration his early guilty plea and the steps he had taken to "make good" since then, which included repainting over some of the tags.

Judge Morris said she had read the two-page letter Mcleod had submitted explaining his background and reasons for tagging.

"It's positive to see you want to turn it all around. I'm not sure what you mean by graffiti art but obviously... you can't expect that to be on someone else's property."

In addition to the sentence of imprisonment she stipulated there would be six months standard and special release conditions.

Taking into account time already served in custody, Mcleod has one week of the jail term left to serve.