A TEENAGE graffiti yob who cost businesses in Colchester thousands of pounds will be on curfew for Christmas.

The 15-year-old spent months damaging and spraying property around the town.

He admitted mulitple counts of graffiti and criminal damage when he appeared at Colchester Magistrates’ Court.

The teenager, who cannot be named because he is under-18, is banned from leaving his home between 7pm and 7am for the next three months.

He caused hundreds of pounds damage to underpasses in the town this year.

He also destroyed pallets at the Cowdray Centre and caused £4,500 damage to Top Shop. Insp Barry Atkinson, of Colchester police, said: “Anybody who thinks it is acceptable to graffiti property is mistaken.

“The court has taken these crimes seriously after we caught someone who caused £6,000 damage.

“This sort of crime makes people feel unsafe and if anybody sees anyone spraying graffiti call us on 101.”

* Police have appealed for information after a graffiti attack on a home for teenagers with special needs.

Holly Lodge, in London Road, Colchester helps pupils from Lexden Springs School, also in Colchester, learn how to be independent.

The school will nowhave to spend £600 to clean the building.

Marie Saunders, teacher, said: “We will have to repaint the whole wall.

“It is disappointing when something like this happens.”

Anyone with information abou the incident on Monday at 3pm can call Colchester police on 101.