The man who created the mural to rail death teenager Taiyah Peebles has been prosecuted for criminal damage in Margate.

The conviction follows a campaign appealing to the public to identify the person responsible for graffiti in Mill Lane car park, Margate and other areas.

Vince Pugh, of Dunstan Avenue in Westgate, admitted causing all 23 pieces of damage and being responsible for the ‘Grumpy’ graffiti tag.

A community protection warning was issued and Mr Pugh also received a conditional discharge for 12 months.

He was also told to pay £2,070 to Thanet District Council.

Mr Pugh, who has previously worked with the council on street art projects in an attempt to steer people away from committing criminal damage, admitted the charges.

He told Thanet Magistrates that he did it, ‘because he was angry at the council as they had painted over other pieces that he considered artwork’.

Anonymous tip offs and CCTV caught Mr Pugh which led to the prosecution and charges brought against him.

Councillor Lin Fairbrass, deputy leader of the council and cabinet member for community safety and environmental services said: "On behalf of the council I would like to say how disappointed we were that Mr Pugh sought a personal vendetta, damaging public spaces which had an impact on other people’s quality of life.

"This not only took up valuable resources to clean up the illegal graffiti but also affected other works and funds that could have been used for other community schemes.”

“The council has worked proactively with local artists to support art in agreed locations and where the landowner had given consent.

"The council has to make sure it balances the interests of the wider community and those pieces which are offensive, obscene or in unauthorised locations will be removed immediately.”

For more information or to report graffiti visit https://www.thanet.gov.uk/your-services/community-safety/how-do-i-report-graffiti/how-do-i-report-graffiti/