Police have arrested a 33-year-old man who admitted responsibility for bizarre graffiti about celebrities that repeatedly appeared on walls in the West Denton area of Newcastle.
The strange slogans, which featured famous figures including Ross Kemp, Lorraine Kelly, Danny Dyer, Rita Ora, Dermot O’Leary and Little Mix’s Jade Thirlwall, had continued to reappear even after being painted over by council staff.
Arrest and admission
Northumbria Police said the man was arrested on suspicion of criminal damage in relation to the graffiti. During an interview, the 33-year-old admitted carrying out the vandalism and has been referred for an out of court disposal.
A police spokesman said: “On Monday we arrested a man on suspicion of criminal damage in relation to graffiti in the West Denton area of Newcastle. In interview the man, aged 33, admitted carrying out the vandalism and he has now been referred for an out of court disposal.”
Mixed reactions and offensive remarks
The graffiti has divided opinion among locals, with some finding it humorous and saying it brightened up their community, while a Newcastle City Councillor condemned the culprit for causing damage to the area.
Some of the messages contained lewd and offensive remarks, while others were more light-hearted. One read: “Kate Garraway brushes her hair with a wooden fork from the chippy.” Another said: “Alison Hammond puts all her shopping through self service as loose bananas.”
Official condemnation
Police also condemned the behaviour. The spokesman added: “Anti-social behaviour of this nature is completely unacceptable and alongside our partners we will always look to take action when we are made aware of it.”
Newcastle City Council's Cabinet Member for Neighbourhoods and Local Services, Peter Lovatt, said: “This type of graffiti is unacceptable. It damages public spaces, blights our communities and creates an unnecessary cost to taxpayers through the resources required to remove it. It is a form of criminal damage and a recordable offence.”
