Prolific vandal banned from city at night

Aprolific vandal whocaused thousands of pounds of damage to Peterborough Town Hall will be given help to tackle her mental health problems. Samantha Moss ( 25) of Oundle Road, Peterborough, used red, blue and black spray paint to scrawl slogans across the front of the town hall and some banks on two separate attacks in November last year.

Moss had been given a suspended jail term lasting one year on November 11, 2011 for an identical attack on the town hall – but moments after the sentence finished she went back into the city again, armed with spray paint, caus- ing more than£ 12,000 of damage

Following the damage, a special coating was applied to the civic building to minimize any future damage.

Shealso carried out another spree on November 28, after she had appeared in court the same day.

Moss appeared at Peterborough Crown Court, and was sentenced to a three year community order, which banned her from coming into the city centre between 10 pm and 6 am and possessing paint.

The court heard Moss had a history of mentalhealth problems, but was on a medication programme to help her with her issues.

Judge Nic Madge told Moss she was not be sent to prison, as she needed more help with her problems.

He said: “The best way . to prevent you continuing to offend is a lengthy community order.

“This will operate for longer than a suspended sentence order, and will give you the help you need.”

Acity council spokeswoman said: “Weacknowledge the court result.

“Peterborough Town Hall is a focal point in the city centre and a building of historical interest and soit is always a shame when someone chooses to ruin its appearance. Not only that, it also costs the council, and ultimately taxpayers, a great deal of money to remove the graffiti.”

Moss had pleaded guilty to five counts of causing criminal damage at a previous hearing.