Prolific tyre slasher given criminal Asbo

A prolific tyre slasher who caused thousands of pounds worth of damage in a spate of random attacks on cars in Wolverhampton has been handed a suspended jail sentence and a criminal Asbo.

Carlos Cranston, aged 27, slashed tyres and spray-painted cars parked on private property in Pendeford in four separate attacks, leaving residents to pick up the bill and file insurance claims.

He targeted eight cars, including several on at least two occasions, cutting 28 tyres in total.

Several cars were also daubed in spray paint and a house was covered in paint on the weekend of July 24 and 25 and overnight on August 26 and 27 last year in Hambledon Close and Emsworth Crescent.

But District Judge Michael Wheeler, sitting at Wolverhampton Magistrates Court yesterday, ruled no compensation will be paid to Cranston's victims as he is "destitute" and has been unable to claim benefits while remanded in custody for the last six weeks.

Cranston, who was also found with cannabis on two occasions and twice failed to turn up for court hearings, was given a 14-week prison sentence, suspended for 18 months.

Mr Roger Bleazard, prosecuting, said: "They may have been insured, but this is small comfort to those who have suffered this distress."

Cranston, formerly of Emsworth Crescent, Pendeford, was also handed a five-year criminal Asbo banning him from carrying chalk, spray paint, marker pens or any other material capable of causing criminal damage.

He is barred from Pendeford between 10pm and 7am and from stepping on private property. He was also given a curfew to stay indoors between 7pm and 7am for the next 16 weeks.

The court heard no signs of mental health issues were found in a pre-sentence review, but Mr Gerard Brady, defending, said: "This doesn't mean they don't exist."

Cranston, now of Waterside House hostel in Birmingham, admitted 12 charges of criminal damage, two of possessing cannabis, two of failing to answer bail and one of shoplifting.