A BANK worker who caused tens of thousands of pounds worth of damage by spraying graffiti on trains and buildings has been spared jail.

Joseph Halstead, 22, from Rusholme, daubed his signature - he signed himself Oleg - on property in Halifax, Leeds and Bristol.

Halstead, of Claremont Road, worked at night as part of a gan but was eventually traced to an address in Bristol.

He admitted 31 charges of criminal damage and was given a 12-month jail sentence, suspended for 12 months. He was ordered to carry out 280 hours of unpaid community work and pay £3,000 compensation.

Paul Cook, prosecuting at Bristol Crown Court, said Halstead had left his signature on walls and windows at Sowerby Bridge station, near Halifax, and it had appeared on trains, trackside equipment, homes and buildings in Bristol.

The gang - or crew - was called the KBG and a major police operation was launched to find them.

Police raided a house in Bristol in August last year and found hundreds of photographs of Halstead's Oleg `tag' on his mobile phone and laptop.

Spray cans were found in a rucksack and there was video of trains being sprayed with his voice in the background and images of Halstead and fellow artists in Halifax.

Stephen Mooney, defending, said Halstead was normally an intelligent and engaging young man but for two years had embarked on 'simple vandalism' following the breakdown of his parents' marriage and his own relationship with his mother.

Mr Mooney said: "He was swept along and became involved but came to his senses."

Halstead had estimated that he had caused £26,000 worth of damage but the figure was believed to be even higher.

Judge David Ticehurst said: "If you woke up to find your car had been painted you would be less than happy."