Graffiti 'top dog' won't show face

Brendan Roberts

May 03, 2007 12:00am
Article from: Herald-Sun


POLICE believe they have broken the back of Victoria's major graffiti networks after the conviction of one of the state's most destructive vandals.
Simon Nelsen, 23, who was described by police as a "top dog" among Victoria's graffiti vandals, was yesterday convicted and placed on a 24-month community-based order and ordered to perform 300 hours of unpaid community work.

Nelsen, of Surrey Hills, pleaded guilty to more than 60 charges including criminal damage, trespass and theft.

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Supt Kevin Sheridan said Nelsen's conviction was a major victory against graffiti vandalism in Victoria.

"He would be in the top three of prolific vandals that tag property," Supt Sheridan said.

"We feel we've certainly broken the back of it (graffiti vandalism), but we're not resting and our resources will continue to crack down on graffiti vandals, and we'll constantly do that."

Melbourne Magistrates' Court heard Nelsen splashed the city's train network and other premises between 2005 and late last year with tags including "Vosco', "Vos' and "full time crime".

His main targets included Burnley, Richmond and Auburn railway stations and train holding yards across Melbourne.

He was caught by police in October last year after committing a five-hour graffiti rampage at 130 locations around the Whitehorse and Boroondara areas.

Photographs taken by Nelsen of his "work" were seized by police in October last year.

They show him making triumphant hand gestures next to several vandalised trains.

He was convicted yesterday after pleading guilty to causing damage costing $79,451.

The Herald Sun incorrectly reported Nelsen was charged with causing $700,000 damage.

Sources have told the Herald Sun that several business owners and Melbourne councils are considering launching civil proceedings against Nelsen over a further $800,000 of graffiti damage caused to property.

Nelsen is not the target of any continuing police investigations.

Magistrate Daniel Muling yesterday described Nelsen's actions as "intolerable, unacceptable and criminal" and said it would be appropriate if his community work involved cleaning graffiti.

"One day you may want to own your own business and you won't be happy if someone tags it," he told Nelsen.

Nelsen covered his face with a hooded jacket as he left court.

Two of his supporters wrestled with media crews in an effort to stop his picture being taken.


Latest Comments:

To say that the herald sun was incorrect in relation to there comment that simon nelson has caused 700,000 dollars worth of damage is a gross understatement. i know for a fact this low life has cause more than 1.5 million dollars worth of damage, remembering this male has only been charged with rail offenses and not the 1000's of other VOSKO tags he has put up around melbourne. i hope now the local councils take this man to court a sue him for the damage he has not been charged with. I have no doubt this male hasn't learnt his lesson and will continue to graffiti until our courts start handing over jail terms for these people.
Posted by: moe of melbourne 6:56pm today

Those graffiti artists caught should have a colourful tattoo of the word 'Graffitist' emblazoned on their foreheads. Hey it's just art and graffiti so I know that the graffiti kids will approve of this penalty.
Posted by: ted thorne of melbourne 1:11pm May 04, 2007

To all those people who think graffiti is art is clearly deluding themselves. What right these criminals have to spray someone else's property without permission? NONE! How dare they try to justify this completely unproductive practice which has a huge cost to society, business and the courts. Slap them with a fine so big they spend the rest of their lives paying it off then see how they go. Why should society have to pay for their inability to behave properly in society. Do something constructuve instead of being the destructive cretins that you really are. You are not artists as there is a word for people like you - VANDALS! Pure and simple!.
Posted by: Mark Williams of Far North Queensland 12:30pm May 04, 2007

Let's give the graffiti "artists" an applause for being able to spell their own names. They seem to be so excited by the fact, that they have to write it everywhere. What a talent.
Posted by: Rupheus of Melbourne 11:41am May 04, 2007