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A demonstrator who vandalised a military memorial on Remembrance Sunday has spoken of his deep regret over the “misguided” protest.
Stephen Bicker caused public revulsion when he sprayed the words “sold ya” on the memorial to the Royal East Kent Regiment in Canterbury.
After appearing in court on charges of criminal damage, the 47-year-old has conceded that his protest “was not the way to go” and says he has been driven into hiding.
Bicker targeted the monument in the Dane John Gardens on November 11 – the day the nation honoured the fallen of the First World War.
The grafitti caused such offence that one elderly lady tried to scrub the memorial clean with her handkerchief.
Yet two days later, while on police bail for the first offence, Bicker went on to scrawl the same word on a war memorial in Faversham.
Homeless Bicker, who has a previous history of anti-war protesting, admitted two counts of criminal damage at Canterbury Magistrates’ Court.
Speaking afterwards, he told the Gazette: “I deeply regret offending people, it’s not what I wanted. I do not believe in armed conflict and I had to get that message across. But I realise on reflection that targeting the monument was not the way to go. I am sorry for that.”
Prosecutor Will Bodiam described how at 8am on November 11 members of the public reported damage to the memorial in Dane John.
“He wanted to make the point that some people have been let down by the government. He made that point the wrong way. This is not unthinking. This is not mindless. Nevertheless it was offensive" - Mark Haskell, defending
Council contractors were called in to clean the monument as Remembrance services in the city were due to begin.
At around 10.15am police received a call from key workers at Guildford Lodge in Nunnery Fields, the supported accommodation where Bicker was living at the time.
They reported Bicker having said “people will be waking up to controversial artwork”, and also reported finding red spray paint in his room.
Bicker was arrested and bailed on suspicion of causing criminal damage. Two days later police were called following reports of identical graffiti in Faversham, said Mr Bodiam.
The words “sold ya” appeared on the foot of a monument in Stone Street as well as on a railway bridge running over Ospringe Road.
Mark Haskell, defending, described his client as “damaged from birth” and as having a serious alcohol problem.
“This is a 47-year-old single man,” he said. “It’s right that this has caused a lot of people to be offended. This is a military memorial.
“I am not seeking to justify my client’s actions. I do not intend to do that. This is a man with a long personal history of anti-war protests.”
Mr Haskell suggested his client had not acted with malicious intent.
“He wanted to make the point that some people have been let down by the government. He made that point the wrong way,” he said. “This is not unthinking. This is not mindless. Nevertheless it was offensive. He was in drink.”
Mr Haskell added that Bicker was deeply regretful of the offence he had caused.
“It was never his intention to offend soldiers or their families but to try and make a political point, albeit one he now understands was deeply misguided,” said Mr Haskell.
Chairman Caroline Snowden imposed a six-month community order with supervision and alcohol treatment programmes attached.
She also ordered Bicker, who is in receipt of Job Seekers’ Allowance, to pay Canterbury City Council and Swale Borough Council £180 each for repairs to the memorials, as well as £120 to Network Rail for damage to its bridge.
She said: “Whilst you are entitled to hold strong views there are ways of expressing that. You caused maximum distress not just by targeting the memorials, but by the timing.”
Bicker was also ordered to pay £85 court costs and a £20 victim surcharge.
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