Camden News - by PAUL KEILTHY Published: 1 May 2008
Graffiti? Don’t bank on freedom!
IF your name’s not Banksy, sir, you’re nicked!
The immunity enjoyed by Camden Council’s favourite guerilla artist was not extended to a 20-year-old West Hampstead man who has been jailed after an elaborate operation involving covert surveillance cameras which identified him as a prolific graffiti vandal.
Webheath estate resident Kieran Burke was sentenced to two months in jail at Highbury Corner Magistrates’ Court and banned from streets around the O2 centre in Swiss Cottage after pleading guilty to 10 counts of criminal damage by graffiti around West Hampstead.
Community police officers had set up covert cameras to film him “tagging” an alleyway behind the Lithos Road estate in July last year. When they arrested him in his Netherwood Street home they found a collection of photos of his work.