Railway grafitti artist Daze is sprung

A 28-month jail sentence for vandalism, imposed on self-styled grafitti artist Gary Shields (aka Daze), was overturned by the Court of Criminal Appeal on 27 June 2008.

Shields' original sentence was imposed by Sheriff Colin Miller at Ayr in March after he admitted maliciously painting trains and other railway property at a wide range of locations in the west of Scotland over a two-year period.  It was claimed that the damage cost £12,000.  Shields had spent two months in Barlinnie before the success of his appeal.  "Daze" was Shields' graffiti signature or 'tag', and the sentence led to an Internet "Free Daze" campaign (see e.g. here and here).  The appeal judges apparently have in mind a community service disposal and a compensation order, but will take a final decision later.  No written judgement has yet appeared on the Scottish Courts website.