I'm Stupid

Newcastle Herald

Saturday September 28, 2002

THE ink was barely dry on a weekend detention order when a graffiti artist was caught defacing buildings in Hunter St Mall, Newcastle Court heard yesterday.

The court heard Matthew Balk sprayed his 'tag' on numerous buildings, causing thousands of dollars of damage, just hours after being given a bond and weekend jail for the same offence.

When police spotted Balk running along Hunter St at 3.40am yesterday and drove beside him, Balk looked at them and said: 'I've just been f..... stupid'.

Balk, 20, computer operator, of Henry St, Merewether, and of Ashfield, Sydney, pleaded guilty to seven charges of malicious damage.

The buildings he targeted included the 7-Eleven Store in Hunter St, an office and the Revolution CD store, in Wolfe St, Newcastle RSL Club, Sanderson Insurance Brokers, Menkens Apartments and Newcastle Post Office.

Sen Constable Jason Grainger said in a statement that a railway security guard saw Balk spray painting the 7-Eleven Store.

Balk was then seen to vandalise buildings in Wolfe, Scott and Market streets.

Sen Constable Grainger said some of the graffiti was scribble and other damage included Balk's 'MO' tag in giant letters.

Balk was caught with a can of spray paint in his bag.

Prosecutor Sgt Louise Foster said police planned to charge Balk with more graffiti offences involving yesterday's spree.

Balk did not apply for bail and magistrate Alan Railton remanded him in custody until October 3.

Less than 12 hours earlier, Balk had appeared before the same magistrate and pleaded guilty to numerous graffiti offences.

He admitted to wilfully defacing Sydney Town Hall on August 23, spray-painting the words, 'Rachell is the sexiest Mumma'.

Balk pleaded guilty to entering restricted railway land on July 27 and spray-painting with intent to damage property and maliciously damaging a carriage.

On Thursday, Mr Railton fined him $600, put him on an 18-month good behaviour bond and ordered him to pay $350 compensation.

For the Sydney offence, the magistrate sentenced Balk to three months of weekend jail and a further $250 compensation.

Yesterday, Mr Railton remanded Balk in custody until Thursday over the new charges so that a pre-sentence report could be prepared.