A TEENAGER responsible for some of the worst graffiti in a Kent city has been spared a custodial sentence.

The cost of the damage caused by Jared Allen, whose tag is “Flow”, runs into thousands of pounds.

Having warned Allen that he faced a Christmas behind bars, magistrates at Canterbury have instead ordered him to pay more than £2,000 in compensation and do 280 hours’ community service.

The 19-year-old, of Grove Terrace, Wincheap, Canterbury, has also been made subject to an anti-social behaviour order with conditions that he is not to possess material which could be used for graffiti.

Allen admitted five counts of criminal damage and asked for 10 similar matters to be taken into consideration.

But 94-year-old Robert Wickenden, of Ivy Lane, has had to clean up graffiti dozens of times and said the court had missed a chance of properly punishing the vandal.

He said: “These people really need to go to prison so that an example can be made of them.

“We are the sort of people who try to make things nice, yet these are the people who go about destroying things.”

Allen’s tag appeared on dozens of buildings and signs across properties in Canterbury and Herne Bay.

Prosecutor Ruth Hawkins said one building tagged by him was a care home. “The owner has spent a lot of effort trying to get the graffiti off,” she said.

“But despite his efforts the graffiti still shows through.”

Cath Wallen, defending, said: “He is now in employment. We have also had no recurrence of the offending.”

Allen must pay £2,000 compensation to Canterbury City Council, £316 to the owner of the care home, £50 to another man whose property he vandalised and £40 to the health authority.

The anti-social behaviour order will last for two years and Allen must also pay £80 court costs.