Four people from Greater Manchester were among a total of seven people of men who conspired to graffiti trains throughout the nation have tbeen sentenced following a three year investigation by British Transport Police.
The gang, known as the SMT Crew, included Dominic Leach (24) from Hulbert Street Middleton, Niall Leach (22) from Hulbert Street Middleton, Jake Goddard (21) from Ashford Road Withington, and Judah Hannaway (21) from Meachin Avenue, Chorlton.
During 2012, officers from BTP started to build an investigation regarding an increase in graffiti incidents on trains in the Manchester area by a group naming themselves SMT Crew.
Train companies including Virgin Trains, Chiltern Railways, Merseyrail, Northern, London Midland, London Underground, Manchester Metrolink and Arriva Train Wales had each reported incidents of vandalism.
Many of the graffiti tags were of the same type and officers from BTP began an investigation.
The investigation led officers to Dominic Leach who was initially arrested in January 2013. He was released on police bail whilst officers carried out further enquiries.
During 2012, officers from BTP started to build an investigation regarding an increase in graffiti incidents on trains in the Manchester area by a group naming themselves SMT Crew.
Train companies including Virgin Trains, Chiltern Railways, Merseyrail, Northern, London Midland, London Underground, Manchester Metrolink and Arriva Train Wales had each reported incidents of vandalism.
Since the arrest and bailing of each of these suspects, the SMT graffiti gang continued to operate with further examples of the vandalism being identified nationally and internationally.
In October 2014 at London Waterloo, officers at the station received reports of a number of individuals causing a disturbance on the concourse. Officers attended and detained Dominic Leach and Cummings.
Their property was searched and they were in possession of spray cans, marigold gloves, stickers, bolt cutters, and filming equipment. The males were then arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to commit criminal damage.
As enquiries continued into the conspiracy investigation a further two suspects were identified Thomas and Feather. In
January 2015, warrants to search the addresses of each suspect involved in the enquiry to date were carried out.
During this house searches, further incriminating evidence was uncovered including messages between the group, video footage, trophy photographs and paint cans.
The defendants each appeared before Manchester Crown Court on various dates where they pleaded guilty and were sentenced yesterday.
Investigating officer PC Tony McGibbon, said: “This was a lengthy and incredibly complex investigation which took many years to develop. In total, approximately 130 offences have been linked to this group which have collaboratively cost the rail industry some £300,000 in repair bills.
“Our painstaking efforts have now paid off and I am pleased that each of these defendants have now been sentenced. I hope this sentence sends a very clear message to other graffiti vandals out there that we will not tolerate this form of criminality.
“The cost of repairing graffiti is enormous. Network Rail estimates that each year they spend in the region of £5million cleaning graffiti vandalism off their network.
“Of course, the public can help us in tackling this issue and bringing offenders to justice. If you notice anyone acting suspiciously or vandalising the railway you can easily report it to us by discreetly texting 61016. We will then investigate.
“We continue to work to disrupt the activities of these gangs and will do everything in our power to arrest those responsible and bring them before the courts – today’s result reflects that and should act as a deterrent.”
The four Manchester defendants were sentenced as follows.Dominic Leach to 14 months in prison, Niall Leach to 12 months in prison, Jake Goddard to Eight month suspended sentence for two years and 150 hours of unpaid work and Judah Hannaway to Twelve month community order and 150 hours of unpaid work
