Zyan Vansteenis in Caboolture court after Moreton Bay street graffiti spree

A 18-year-old from Moreton Bay with no criminal history paid a hefty price for his odd birthday celebrations.

Birthday celebrations went a little too far for an intoxicated 18-year-old from Burpengary, who came across a spray paint can and went on a tagging frenzy in a Moreton Bay street.

Zyan Vansteenis, 18, appeared in the Caboolture Magistrates Court on March 19, 2024, charged with five counts of wilful damage by graffiti and one count of wilful damage.

The court heard police were called to Maidenhair Drive, Narangba at 4.12am on February 15, 2024, to reports of juveniles attempting to unlawfully enter vehicles.

Police prosecutor Senior Constable Spencer-Green told the court patrolling police observed a significant amount of graffiti on homes and vehicles on Maidenhair Drive.

Zyan Vansteenis leaving the Caboolture Magistrates Court on March 19, 2024.

“They appear to be made using grey spray paint, spelling mostly the characters LAPZ,” Mr Spencer-Green said.

“Police were flagged down by a member of the public who indicated that people were hiding in the Creekside Corner Park.

“Police conducted a search, located two males laying down behind a log, one male identified himself as the defendant

“Police observed the defendant had a spray paint can tucked into the waistband of his pants

“There was a vehicle which had the words LAPZ sprayed with grey paint across both driver side doors.”

Mr Spencer-Green told the court grey spray painted graffiti with the same characters was sighted on a mailbox, a garage door, two fence palings and on a pillar next to a front door of a residence.

All the victims requested restitution for damages, totalling $1693.15

The court heard Vansteenis had no previous criminal history.

Vansteenis’ lawyer Andrew Stewart told the court his client was out drinking and celebrating his 18th birthday, when he came across the spray paint can.

“He had a significant amount to drink as it was his birthday and thought it would be fun in his drunken state, to do what he did,” Mr Stewart said.

“He’s very remorseful for it and accepts that restitution is claimed.”

Zyan Vansteenis outside Caboolture court.

Mr Stewart told the court the 18-year-old completed school to Year 11 and began work as a labourer in Brendale, working until April 2023, until back problems forced him to quit.

The court also heard Vansteenis lives with his mother, who was in court to support him and is the middle aged child of two other siblings.

Magistrate Peter Hasted told Vansteenis that graffiti is something the community despises.

“Mr Vansteenis, in the cold, hard light of day, I hope you understand and realise how disgusting this is,” Mr Hasted said.

“This is disgusting, it’s ugly and it’s nothing ever to be repeated again.

“It is open to this court, while it’s at the very high standard, to consider some form of imprisonment in respect of this matter.

“People going to work on a daily basis see trains with this kind of graffiti.

‘Now I accept that’s not what you have done, that yours is a form of graffiti as well.”

Mr Hasted ordered Vansteenis to complete 60 hours of unpaid community service within a 12 month probationary period and ordered he pay restitution of $1693.15.

A conviction was not recorded.