Vandals’ £18,700 Wrecking Spree Lands Man in Jail
Chains and Stones Smash Council Building
A man has been locked up for trashing a council-owned building in Worthing, causing nearly £19,000 in damage.
Gavin Collett, 39, armed with a heavy dog chain, smashed eight windows at Portland House on Richmond Road in the early hours of 11 February 2022.
Just days later, on the evening of 17 February, he lobbed bricks and stones smashing three more windows and a glass door at the same building.
Temporary Home, Permanent Damage
Collett, who had no fixed address at the time and was in temporary accommodation, was caught on CCTV.
Police swiftly identified him, arrested him, and charged him with two counts of criminal damage.
The total damage bill hit a hefty £18,700, all to a property owned by Worthing Borough Council.
Guilty Plea and Jail Sentence
He pleaded guilty and was sentenced to 14 months behind bars at Lewes Crown Court on 7 February.
