60-Year-Old Slapped with Community Order for ULEZ Camera Vandalism
Stephen Nunn, 60, was caught red-handed spraying paint on a ULEZ camera in south-east London. The Bromley man pleaded guilty to criminal damage at Bromley Magistrates’ Court, where he was swiftly sentenced.
Creative but Foolish Crime
Nunn’s cunning plan involved a makeshift paint sprayer crafted from a long pole with a string trigger. He targeted the camera on Hayes Lane, Bromley, under the cover of darkness, dressed all in black to evade detection. But the police caught him in the act on 27 October.
Following his arrest, officers searched Nunn’s home and found anti-ULEZ posters and stickers, hinting his attack was premeditated.
Community Order and Compensation
Judge handed Nunn a 12-month community order including 100 hours of unpaid work. On top of that, he must pay £349.78 in compensation to Transport for London (TfL), operator of the ULEZ scheme.
Prosecutor Alza Rashed said: “Despite his attempt to carry out vandalism under the cover of night while dressed in black, the quick response of our officers ensured his plan failed. Acts like these will be prosecuted whenever the law is broken.”
ULEZ Expansion Sparks Surge in Attacks
The London-wide ULEZ extension launched on 29 August has seen a wave of camera vandalism. These devices use automatic number plate recognition (ANPR) to charge drivers of high-emission vehicles a daily £12.50 fee.
Since the rollout, nearly 1,000 crimes involving theft or damage of ULEZ cameras have been logged by police in just seven months.
Nunn’s sentencing sends a clear warning: London means business when it comes to protecting its air quality and cracking down on vandalism.
