DNA traps youth who spat on memorial

Police used DNA technology to track down a youth who spat on their memorial, a court heard.

CCTV captured the 17-year-old in the act as he walked by the commemoration to 23 policemen who gave their life in the First World War.

The memorial stone also commemorates a policeman who died in the line of duty in the Silvertown Explosion of 1917. It is next to the entrance of Forest Gate Police Station.

His DNA was taken from the spit and because he was previously known to police, he was easily traced to his address in Ilford.

The youth was handed a 12-month conditional discharge and was ordered to pay £75 compensation for the criminal damage after he appeared at Stratford Magistrates’ Court on Monday.

District Judge Sims branded the teenager’s actions “not just disrespectful, but despicable”.

Ch Supt Richard Tucker, said: “I hope that this sentence warns other against vandalism of any type.”