A magistrate told a man who scrawled anti-vaccine graffiti on walls and bins in Swindon to ‘write a book’ about his thoughts on all things coronavirus.
Paul Dawson, 43, pleaded guilty to committing criminal damage by scribbling on a Tri Centre pillar and a bin belonging to Swindon Borough Council on 22 March this year.
The court heard how he was caught by a CCTV camera adding the phrases “vaccines kill, say no” and “Covid masonic lies” to the building and nearby bin at 4.30am.
The council said the cost of the clean, paid for by the taxpayer, was £100.
Earlier this year, Dawson was convicted of writing similar ‘Covid lies’ and other words and phrases on Swindon town centre buildings in November 2020. On that occasion, the estimated clean-up cost was a staggering £1,500.
Duty solicitor Mark Glendenning said his client apologises.
‘Mr Dawson is a man who holds particular views and he feels he wasn’t being listened to so he writes his opinions on the wall’, he commented.
Chair of the bench Martin Smith labelled his behaviour “madness” before telling him “you’re a nuisance”.
He later said: ‘If you want to get your voice heard, there are better ways to do it. Write a book, go to your MP about it, because this is costing you a lot of money.’
Dawson was told to pay £100 compensation to Swindon Borough Council. He must also pay costs of 85 and a £34 victim surcharge.
