Having a graffiti pen proves costly for Toowoomba teenager

A Toowoomba teenager had been left out of pocket and ordered to remove graffiti after being caught scribbling on a public toilet door.

The Toowoomba teen paid dearly for having a graffiti marker pen.

JUST having a marker pen used for graffiti has proved costly for a Toowoomba teenager.

When approached by a police patrol in the Neil St bus interchange about 1.30am, November 21, Harry Michael Rub admitted he had a marker pen used for graffiti on him, Toowoomba Magistrates Court heard.

A police search of the area found some graffiti scribbled on the door of the handicapped toilets nearby, police prosecutor Shelby Larcombe told the court.

The 18-year-old admitted to the graffiti and pleaded guilty to possessing a graffiti instrument and to wilful damage by graffiti.

Duty solicitor Brad Skuse, of David Burns Lawyers, told the court the offence brought a mandatory graffiti removal order as part of the penalty.

The teenager had co-operated with police and entered pleas of guilty at the first available opportunity, he said.

Magistrate Kay Ryan noted Rub had been on a good behaviour bond with a $250 recognisance at the time.

Without recording convictions, Ms Ryan ordered Rub complete a 20 hour graffiti removal order, fined him $200 for possessing an implement of graffiti, ordered he pay $120 compensation to Toowoomba Regional Council and ordered he forfeit the $250 recognisance for breaching the good behaviour bond.