AN "OBSESSED" graffiti artist who risked his life to daub Debenhams' dome in Bournemouth has escaped an antisocial behaviour order.

Gino Dartnell was described as "the worst one-man crime wave I have come across" by the investigating police officer.

The 18-year-old from Bournemouth even drew his tag "Sent" on courtroom forms that had to be handed up to the magistrates.

The Northbourne resident pleaded guilty to three counts of criminal damage and asked for 10 similar offences to be taken into consideration.

He was sentenced to 120 hours of community service at Bournemouth Magistrates Court on Tuesday.

But the judge decided Dartnell's new job meant an Asbo banning him from carrying stencils or spray paint was not needed.

Dartnell, from The Broadway, earns £300 a week as a chef at The Triangle.

District Judge Ashurst said: "If you commit any further offences, the community would be absolutely livid that I had given you a chance that you squandered."

Dartnell specialised in getting to hard-to-reach places and left high-profile town-centre tags at Debenhams, H&M and Somerfield. But most of his damage was around Kinson.

Beat officer PC Dave Fish said: "This was probably the worst single- man crime wave I have had in the 10 years I have worked in Kinson.

"If he sent a letter of apology I don't think it would make a blind bit of difference."

Paul Griffin, prosecuting, said the graffiti caused more than £3,000 of damage, adding: "This young man seems to be obsessed with graffiti art."

Michael Tomlinson, defending, said Dartnell deserved credit for his early guilty plea and co-operation. He said Dartnell's only explanation for his behaviour was he had "not been particularly happy and a little bored".

After the case, PC Fish said: "The offences made a huge impact on the area. We are passionate about trying to keep Kinson feeling like Bournemouth's oldest village as much as possible. Then a clown like this comes along."

Sandi Stockdale, a Kinson neighbourhood worker for Bournemouth council, said: "I'm disappointed he didn't get the Asbo.

"He has done so much damage. It would have sent a message. But he got a community sentence - this is something."