A teenager who ignored a court order not to spray graffiti on buildings said he was just trying to "brighten up the town".

The 18-year-old appeared before Dartford magistrates on Thursday for breaching his Anti Social Behaviour Order (ASBO).

Jake Devenney, of York Road, Gravesend, was given a three-year ASBO on February 9 but, having breached the conditions imposed, was returned to court.

The court heard that 22 more offences had been admitted by the defendant. Damage caused cost £1,785 to repair.

He was given a 12-month community order, told to carry out 100 hours’ unpaid work and given a curfew for two months from 7pm to 6am with electronic tagging.

He was also told to pay £100 compensation and £60 costs.

His solicitor told the court that his client’s motives were to brighten up the town.

But Chief Inspector Philip Painter said: “It is astonishing that somebody can consider that criminally damaging other people’s property by painting all over it could be anything other than detrimental to the appearance of the town."