Vandal who daubed pink graffiti on police station wall spared jail

The damage was caused at South Shields police station.

Paul Richardson sprayed the words "PC KILLERS" onto the wall of South Shields station after drinking six litres of wine.

The 31-year-old left his gloves and paint at the scene and was caught on CCTV carrying out the attack with another man.

Richardson, formerly of Whitehead Street in the town, admitted criminal damage.

He also pleaded guilty to offences of making off from a £15 taxi charge without payment, shoplifting pizza and curry from Tesco and theft of a PlayStation.

Newcastle Crown Court heard Richardson, who has previous convictions, had substituted his methadone medication with alcohol when he committed the offences earlier this year.

Probation officials say he poses a "low risk" to the public but is in desperate need of support and supervision.

Mr Recorder Duncan Smith sentenced Richardson to nine months behind bars, suspended for two years, with supervision and programme requirements.

The judge told him: "If I were you, I would stay indoors for a couple of years."