A former painter and decorator was spotted writing graffiti on a High Street wall by CCTV cameras, a court heard.

Stuart Masters, 24, of Affleck Road, Greenstead, Colchester, wrote his "trademark" name "UMALE" four times on the facia of Angel Court on August 11 causing damage estimated at £150, the town's magistrates heard.

Dinah Walters, prosecuting, said: "At 12.45am police officers looking at the CCTV saw the defendant crouching down in front of Angel Court by the entrance doors."

Officers went down and found writing on the front of the premises and Masters was arrested.

"He said he had been out with friends and had been drinking alcohol," she said.

"He found a pen in his pocket and wrote on the wall in four different places."

Each example was said to be four inches wide and ten inches long.

Masters admitted causing criminal damage and was fined £70.

Peter Young, mitigating, said: "It was a stupid matter, a stupid mistake and a stupid way to behave. He knows and indeed I know that there is some concern about the question of graffiti.

"He had been with several of his mates hanging out outside Angel Court. During the course of some hours there was nothing much to do except drink and he tells me he had consumed about two litres of cider.

"With all of this and some egging on he just stupidly behaved and wrote those letters - this name - on Angel Court."

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