Graffiti duo charged

“I thought spraying was cool”

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(Bild: ©Mihail - stock.adobe.com (Symbolbild))

Two apprentices caused 86,000 euros worth of damage with graffiti. One cited corona as the motive: "Had psychological problems."

One is 19 years old, the other 18. Both are local apprentices, and both sprayed paint in their free time. That is the reason why the two young people are sitting before Judge Christina Bayrhammer in the regional court on Friday.

Dozens of places smeared

Serious damage to property in 69 cases is the accusation of the public prosecutor. The two young people caused up to 86,000 euros in damage with graffiti between November 2022 and December 2023: "Corona really got to me psychologically," explains the 19-year-old, who had used spray cans significantly more often and also consumed cannabis. "Spraying distracted me mentally, which helped me at the time." The younger man gave another motive: "I thought that spraying was cool." He was attracted by the allure of the forbidden. "I didn't even think about the damage." The sprayer duo mainly sprayed relatively easily accessible public places such as electricity distributors, noise barriers, but also suburban train sets and highway bridges. "Some of it was nice lettering, but some of it was just plain graffiti," the judge noted.

In any case, both vowed to do better: instead of spraying, the 19-year-old is now doing sport and undergoing psychotherapy. And the 18-year-old said: "I never want to go to court again." The older one received a non-appealable four-month conditional prison sentence, the other a conditional conviction. They will have to make amends anyway.