MORE than 500 local people have joined a campaign launched in protest over the jailing of a pair of young graffiti artists.
It’s hoped the campaign will provide a boost for Macclesfield residents Thomas ‘TJ’ Dolan, 20, and Thomas Whittaker, 18, who were sent to prison last week by a Manchester Crown Court judge, even though he described them as "decent and talented".
The pair admitted causing around £13,000 worth of damage to trains, bridges and railway property across the North West. Dolan, of Leek Road, was sentenced to 15 months behind bars and Whittaker, of Brocklehurst Avenue, was jailed for one year. Neither the boys, who expected lengthy ASBOs, nor their parents and the community thought they would be sent to prison.
The internet campaign "Free Kreky", named after Dolan’s graffiti tag, is now gathering force on social networking site Facebook, as messages of support flood in from around 530 members who back the parents’ plan to appeal against the sentence.
TJ’s father Tommy Dolan, 56, was devastated by the verdict. He said: "These boys aren’t criminals, they are good kids – everybody loves them.
"Watching my son go to prison was like having my baby taken away. We will do all we can to get them out sooner. They don’t deserve to be in prison."
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Phil Heathcote (05/09/2007 at 14:46)
Here are Two 'Talented and Decent young men' those are the words of the judge, yet he managed to jail them for 15months and 12 months. Is the Judge an Idiot or does he have a Sick Sense of humour. We have Paedophiles, rapists and Violent Offenders walking the streets because they say that the prisons are full.
If thats the case how can they lock up two talented and Decent young men who have never commited a violent offence.
I would like to see the Judge look a Rape Victim in the Eye and try and Explain that he couldnt send their attacker to jail because he felt it more important to send down an artist.
This is a complete Joke and We need to stand up and be heard.
Free Krek and Mers!!
Phil Heathcote
connor white (05/09/2007 at 17:44)
jail more scum instead. free krek and mers.
connor,macclesfield
carlosiyer (05/09/2007 at 17:51)
"MORE than 15,000 crimes did not go before the courts in Greater Manchester last year because police let off offenders with a caution.
A total of 32 sex attacks, 33 robberies and 3,071 assaults were punished with a caution, reprimand or final warning instead of an appearance in the dock.
And eight young rapists have been handed final warnings instead of being charged for their crimes over the last five years. "
It's very simple people...
STOP: take a deep breath
STOP: Look at the facts above
STOP: Think about 15 months for 12 thousand pounds
STOP: AH HA...EUREKA!!! I'VE FINALLY FIGURED IT ALL OUT!!!!!
FREE KREK FREE MERS
Phil Heathcote (05/09/2007 at 18:01)
Sue Macc (05/09/2007 at 18:53)
They did commit an offence on another persons property. mMaybe the judge has taken a harsh line so that others who think they can daub peoples property and get away with it might think twice in future.
I wish these boys well though, and hope that the future looks bright for them.
Willy K (05/09/2007 at 20:45)
lad (05/09/2007 at 21:41)
Cheshire crime may be on the decline - as paperwork and figures may suggest - because the public are slowly realising the pointless, fruitless exercise of reporting crime . When will we wake up?
Keep them in there
Lad
John Rayner (06/09/2007 at 08:29)
Ally Parker (06/09/2007 at 10:23)
Believe nothing just because a so-called wise person said it. Believe nothing just because a belief is generally held. Believe nothing just because it is said in ancient books. Believe nothing just because it is said to be of divine origin. Believe nothing just because someone else believes it. Believe only what you yourself test and judge to be true
Leigh Turner (06/09/2007 at 10:28)
The point regarding the Police not taking action in other cases is correct. We would all be better with a campaign to force the Police to do their jobs and get it right in the first place. But lets be honest it is not the Police per se, it is the Police management who dictate the street manpower and the complete abandonment of the streets.
Keep them in and castigate the Chief Constable's for not do their jobs properly.
J.B. (06/09/2007 at 12:07)
It is the sentences in other cases which were too soft.
carlosiyer (06/09/2007 at 12:16)
Leigh Turner, tell you what i'll let you look the latest rape victim in the eye and say "i'm sorry for you're woe but i'd prefer to put 2 kids in jail for spraying paint and allow you're attacker free on a suspended senence...you've got problems!!!
I'm not saying what they did was against the law, no one in support is saying that but 15 months is ridiculous!!!
I was in court on the day they were sentenced and the police officer who headed the investigation turned round after the verdict was read out and said: "I can't believe they got that!?'
I suppose next you'll all be asking to bring back hanging?.....not big gandhi fans then?
FREE KREK FREE MERS
Phil Heathcote (06/09/2007 at 12:51)
Your ignorance is comical. you say i'd be complaining if they daubed my property with their work. Your wrong. Very wrong and Have already asked them to design a tattoo for me.
If the law had it your way the streets would be full of Rapists, murderers, paedophiles and Vioent offenders, and the prisons full of artists and musicians and free speakers.
No one here is saying they are innocent but the big picture is that the jails are full so the space would be more use to house rapists and the like
Congratulations your trying to ruin Britain while these two men have been working with the under privilidged.
Give yourself a nice pat on your back would you
Phil Heathcote
Martin Bee (06/09/2007 at 16:23)
They were aware that they were breaking the law, they got caught and now have to face up to there action by spending time in prison. May this be a warning to anyone else who want to deface our streets?
J.B. (06/09/2007 at 18:12)
AND silly kids who think it is ok to damage other people¿s property should be dealt with severely. There used to be an old saying, ¿If you can¿t do the time, don¿t do the crime¿. Growing up is a mature of learning to be mature, not undisciplined. They are supposed to be educated ¿ In what and by whom.
Phil Heathcote (06/09/2007 at 18:51)
These two men know they have done wrong and none of us who support them have said that we dont agree they should be punished but the punishment doesnt fit the crime, it would be more positive to make them help other kids or do something in the community. All that is happening now is they're locked away when they could be doing something positive and the cells could be put to better use for a Violent offender or rapist. Thats the reality!
I'd rather have a Graffiti artist in every house on my street than have one Paedophile or rapist
Phil Heathcote.
Kim Yarwood, Macclesfield (06/09/2007 at 19:12)
Whilst there are murderers, rapists and paodophiles on the loose, police are more interested in taking samples of paint from a train and sentencing two talented people over a petty crime than catching real offenders.
I saw a comment made about 'silly young lads'...these lads work hard at what they do, they are even prepared to go to University and study hard to make a life for themselves, a life that consists of many hours of hard-work and commitment. Would we prefer our younger generations to have aspirations or to desolve their lives away to drugs and a life on benefits?
We talk about over-crowding in prisons and the release of hundreds of offenders in communitees, do we really think these lads have done so wrong they deserve a place of home alongside terrorists?? Answer that question.
David Moss (06/09/2007 at 20:02)
Willy K (06/09/2007 at 20:11)
I believe that they got off lightly. Their parents seem to be very proud of their criminal offspring. Criminal they certainly are, pillars of the community they are not.
KM (07/09/2007 at 10:58)
TJ is being treated for stress which breaks my heart. he's THE best lad and art is his life you cant take away someones passion. its not fair.
AG (07/09/2007 at 14:09)
Just look at the pictures. They don't seem to care - you can see it in their faces. You might even suggest they feel proud. If I was in their shoes, right now I'd be panicking at the prospect of what lies ahead. Too late, I'm afraid.
I for one am sick to the back teeth of seeing our town daubed with graffiti. The act is utterly selfish and shows a complete lack of respect for other peoples property and for those who have the misfortune to look at it.
The 'art' of graffiti is by no means an expression of talent. This kind of 'talent' should in fact be reflected by zero-tolerance.
If the individuals (not just these two, but *every* single one of you that do it) really had a talent they would have the intelligence to channel it into a means that would elevate their status from unrespected juveniles, to role models for their friends and the community. Graffiti is not about self-expression or 'free speech' it is simply an excuse to make a mark in the most inconvenient manner. 'Tagging' seems to have a status - however it will do nothing to aggrandize you amongst others.
You should be warned. When you finally grow-out of your selfish phase and become respected for the right reasons, take a long look at yourself when you walk down the street and observe your so-called 'art'. You might just see it for what it is, and feel thoroughly ashamed.
Willy K (07/09/2007 at 14:32)
Your friend like these two vandals know exactly what they are doing.
Ally Parker (07/09/2007 at 18:19)
FREE KREK & MERS
Sarah_F (07/09/2007 at 18:26)
Elizabeth Scott (07/09/2007 at 18:47)
This jail sentence is absolutely ridiculous - of course it is not right to deface public properties or buildings but surely the right course of action would be a warning and a hefty fine.
The fact that we are sending two young boys to prison, a breeding ground for criminals and drug addicts is absolutely ludicrous.
What is the purpose of this sentence?
Do we want to create more criminals?
It would seem so!
Oh and something for conservatives to think about -
"The idea has the backing of Andrew Pelling, a Conservative member of the London Assembly who chaired the graffiti investigative committee earlier this year.
"Companies use graffiti imagery all the time to promote things to young people," says Mr Pelling. "We have to accept that graffiti is part of their lives. So, I think graffiti walls are needed and, if they are going to mean anything, they need to be in prominent places."
Perhaps we should look inside the Egyptian pyramids, where many workers left their "tags" thousands of years ago.
But just to emphasise this point again - we are in danger of destroying the lives of two children by sending them to jail.