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Vandal's $30,000 spree
Katie Lapthorne
March 06, 2007

A VANDAL who went on a $30,000 graffiti rampage, attacking 72 train carriages over four years, yesterday pleaded guilty to criminal damage charges.

Noam Jason Shoan, 26, was part of a gang called "70K", which stood for '70s kids, whose graffiti work became so prolific they were a target of police.

Melbourne Magistrates' Court heard the group used the tags "Renks", "Bonez" and "Stan" and abbreviations of those, to vandalise Connex trains, a tram, rail bridge, overpass and building between 2001 and 2005.

Prosecutor Sen-Constable Glenn Collins told the court every second window of one side of the city building was tagged with graffiti that could be read from the outside.

That damage was estimated at $20,000 but the site was derelict and the building was demolished.

The court heard the train vandalism affected 72 carriages of 37 trains with damage ranging from $67 to $4500.

The attacks occurred throughout Melbourne, including Frankston, Belgrave and Clifton Hill, even extending to the country town of Traralgon.

Sen-Constable Collins said search warrants at three homes linked to Shoan had uncovered 46 spray cans, an art portfolio containing Renks work and a CD showing pictures and videos of the graffiti.

The court heard one member of 70K fled overseas after being interviewed by police and another left while investigations were still under way.

Shoan, of Mt Eliza, pleaded guilty to 42 counts of criminal damage. Defence lawyer John Bushby said Shoan was a graphic designer with a degree in fine art.

Mr Bushby said it was difficult to provide an explanation for the offences when you "do not know that world".

He said people who did graffiti usually did so enthusiastically, believing there was nothing wrong with it.

"What is their accepted behaviour and what they see as being appropriate is often clearly not in line with what other people who travel on these trains think," Mr Bushby said.

Magistrate Sarah Dawes said graffiti was a great cost to the community, something she must take into consideration.

Shoan was released on summons to appear for sentencing later this month.