Teen is first among five in Toa Payoh graffiti case to plead guilty to theft, criminal trespass

David William Graaskov (center) and his parents and lawyers arriving at the State Courts. The teenager is accused of conspiring with four others to commit vandalism at the rooftop of a HDB block in Toa Payoh on May 7, 2014. He also removed a reflecti
David William Graaskov (center) and his parents and lawyers arriving at the State Courts. The teenager is accused of conspiring with four others to commit vandalism at the rooftop of a HDB block in Toa Payoh on May 7, 2014. He also removed a reflective vest from a HDB rooftop. -- ST PHOTO: WONG KWAI CHOW 

SINGAPORE - A teen who was accused of abetting the rooftop vandalism of a Housing Board block in Toa Payoh with spray paint pleaded guilty to theft and criminal trespass on Wednesday.

David William Graaskov, 18, who faced six charges, admitted to three charges - stealing four spray cans of paint from a parked lorry as well as committing criminal trespass at Marina Bay Suites and a construction site in Balestier.

He committed the offences with Boaz Koh Wen Jie, Reagan Tan Chang Zhi and Chay Nam Shen, all 18, whose cases will be mentioned on Jan 28.

A Community Court heard that a resident called the police on May 7 this year about graffiti at the top of Block 85A Lorong 4 Toa Payoh.

The graffiti, in red, was splashed across a large flat wall panel with expletives directed against a local political party.

Deputy Public Prosecutor Tang Shangjun said the five, including Goh Rong Liang, were hanging out near the block on the evening of May 6 when they stole four cans of spray paint from a lorry at Block 54 Lorong 5 Toa Payoh.

The group then decided to go and "spray'' the rooftop of Block 85A.

Although Graaskov had agreed to take part in the spraying, he realised it was getting late and had to catch the last bus home. He then left the group just before midnight.

The rest continued with their plan to commit vandalism, said Mr Tang.

Graaskov had also trespassed into Marina Bay Suites on March 29 with three others. One of them, who was of small build, managed to slip through a gap at the entrance to the condominium and unlock the glass doors from the lobby inside. The other four, including Graaskov, then entered the place. They took a lift to the highest floor to chat and smoke for about an hour.

Investigation also showed that Graaskov had trespassed into a construction site at Jalan Rajah between October and December last year.

District Judge Lim Keng Yeow called for a probation report on Jan 26.

The maximum penalty for theft is three years and a fine. For criminal trespass, the maximum is three months' jail and a $1,500 fine.

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