A man has been banned from entering a town centre as well as from owning marker pens or spray paints after a £2,000 spree of damage.

Joseph Gardiner, of Amulet Close in Thetford, appeared at Suffolk Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday, facing 12 charges of criminal damages and one of owning an article with the intent to damage property.

The 28-year-old pleaded guilty to all 13 offences, which were all committed in Thetford between September 1 and November 18.

The court heard that Gardiner had graffitied several places around the town.

These included the outside walls of William Hill Bookmakers, Biedronka Supermarket, the Edinburgh Woollen Mill, Coral Bookmakers, the rear doors of Poundland, the window and advertising board of Poundstretcher, and a “lifesaving buoy and concrete chair” belonging to Breckland District Council. 

In total, the court heard that Gardiner had caused around £2,000 of damage.

Speaking in Gardiner’s defence, Jeff Lewis told the court that a pre-sentencing report had described Gardiner as an “intelligent and eccentric” young man who had fallen into the habit of leaving his “tag” in public places. 

The court heard that police had spoken to Gardiner on November 11, and had been warned not to enter Thetford  town centre or to cause any further damage.

However, they apprehended him on November 17, causing damage to the external reporting telephone at Thetford Police Station.

It was decided on Tuesday that Gardiner would be bailed before a further court appearance on January 13, to allow for a more detailed report to be compiled.

In the meantime, he has been ordered not to enter Thetford town centre or to have in his possession marker pens, spray paints or anything else which could be used to cause graffiti-like damage.

Mr Lewis said that he had impressed on his client that he needed to dispose of all these items of property, and that, should he find himself “in need of an artistic outlet, it will have to be on paper”.