A prolific teenage graffiti artist carried out a two-year rampage daubing his ‘tag’ in parts of Bradford.

But that proved Thomas Toczek’s undoing as examples of his sign ‘NOK’ were later found at his home by police.

And the 18-year-old trainee mechanic was yesterday warned by magistrates in Bingley that he could be locked up after he admitted two counts of criminal damage in the Allerton and Sandy Lane areas and asked for 28 similar incidents to be taken into consideration.

Toczek, of Spring Street, Sandy Lane, struck at the skate park at Greenwood Park, Sandy Lane, and left his mark on the “Welcome to Sandy Lane” sign.

Prosecutor Nadine Clough said Toczek sprayed his ‘tag’ on council and private property with a permanent paint in a variety of colours. His defacement of the “Welcome to Sandy Lane” sign caused great upset in the community, she said.

He damaged the home of Martin Spilsbury in Allerton Road, Allerton, by spraying his tag in foot high red paint which cost Mr Spilsbury £100 to get removed. The graffiti on Council property continued over 18 months and his tag NOK was “everywhere”, said Miss Clough.

There were between 40 and 50 tags which imposed a “massive negative image” and prompted e-mails, telephone calls and was discussed in the neighbourhood forum.

On July 12, last year, the tag was written in large scarlet letters at the skate park.

Toczek was traced by police and when they visited his home, they found several sketches with NOK artwork and he admitted he was responsible.

He made admissions to 28 similar instances and the total damage was about £6,000, she added.

Ishmail Uddin, for Toczek, said the incidents had all occurred when he was 17. He fully admitted the matter and police said he had been “remorseful.”

The Bench adjourned sentence for reports to be compiled and bailed him until Friday, May 13.

Toczek was told by the Bench: “This offence is so serious all options must be considered, including custody”.

After the hearing, Councillor Val Binney (Con, Allerton and Thornton) said: “It’s a relief that someone had been caught. I hope this sees the end of it.”

People had been working to improve the area and the graffiti had been very distressful and depressing to see, she said.

Damian Fisher, Bradford Council’s principal officer street scene, said: “Graffiti is not a victimless crime. The majority of graffiti is ugly and is frequently offensive.”

  • Read the full story in Tuesday's T&A