A young man won his appeal against a prison sentence for a spate of graffiti attacks across Leigh and Westcliff which caused more than £3,000 damage.

Adam Delaney, 20, served just two days of a six-week sentence before it was replaced with a community service order and a hefty compensation bill of £950.

Delaney, of London Road, Leigh, admitted seven charges of criminal damage and asked for 50 other incidents to be taken into consideration.

Southend magistrates jailed him and bail was refused pending appeal. He had his own graffiti "tag" and the word Merge was found on buildings.

Judge Frank Lockhart said: "People who own property are entitled to have some security in that the law will protect them from fools like you.

"I do not want people to think that custody is not going to happen to anybody else that comes before the court for graffiti like this.

"I hope spending two days in Chelmsford prison has scared you."

Businesses hit in Leigh include the Rectory House Flower Company in Rectory Grove, Ugos bar in Rectory Grove West and Iceland in London Road. A security company, tanning studio and a residential wall in Westcliff also had spray paint or marker pen daubed on them.

Delaney confessed to the tagging then went out in a police car and pointed out 50 other places where his tag was.

Defence counsel John Hayter said: "He accepts at least £3,000 damage was caused and he is willing to pay that to the court.

"He did not tell his parents at first because he was so ashamed. He is now back living with them. All these matters were committed while he was living on his own and he says during the period he was away he fell in with a bad crowd."

Delaney was told to pay £950 compensation and to do 120 hours community service.

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