32-year-old given suspended sentence after graffiti spree

A 32-year-old man has been handed a nine-month jail sentence, suspended for a year, after a graffiti spree at Rhymney railway station.

Don Midasoni, of Hartcliffe Way, Bristol, was involved in two separate incidents on February 22, 2018, and March 11, 2018, where he targeted train carriages at the depot – causing more than £4,000 worth of damage.

He was arrested in April 2018 on suspicion of criminal damage following a British Transport Police investigation.

Automatic number plate recognition technology and mobile phone data linked Midasoni with the offences that took place.

Numerous photographs and videos, which were found at Midasoni’s property, show graffiti offences being committed at Rhymney depot.

Midasoni pleaded guilty to two counts of criminal damage and was sentenced at Cardiff Crown Court on Friday, May 22.

As well as a suspended sentence, Midasoni was ordered to complete 100 hours of unpaid work, as well as six days of rehabilitation.

He was ordered to pay £4,216.17 in compensation to Arriva Trains Wales, which operated trains in Wales at the time the offences were committed.

He was also ordered to pay a £140 victim surcharge.

PC Ashley Wilkins, investigating officer at British Transport Police, said: “Graffiti is not a victimless crime – it is in fact vandalism, which has huge financial implications for the rail industry and the trains people travel on.

“Midasoni is a prolific offender who caused extensive damage.

“I hope this sentence sends a clear warning that this type of behaviour will not be tolerated on the railway, and these offenders will be brought before the courts.”