Aussies charged over graffiti attacks in London

A GANG of six Australian men have been remanded in jail for graffiti attacks on London's transport network.

The men, part of a gang known as AMF, allegedly caused more than $140,000 damage to trains and railways stations.

The group's "trophy pictures" sometimes covered whole carriages of trains, British news services reported.

******, 21, ******, 22, ******, 23, *******, 24, *****, 24, and ********, 22, appeared in Southwark Court in southeast London yesterday

All have pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit criminal damage between July 31 and December 27 last year.

Police on patrol had busted the gang near an east London railway in the early hours of Boxing Day after hearing the rattle of cans and smelling paint.

The officers called for back-up and gave chase, arresting *****, *******, ****** and the ***** brothers.

****** was arrested after police reviewed CCTV footage from the area. The gang was accused of causing more than $30,000 damage on Boxing Day alone.

Evidence linked the gang to other graffiti attacks including the vandalism of three Central Line tube trains ($20,000 damage), a Metropolitan Line tube ($2,800 damage) and two National Express trains covered ($30,000).

Photographs, videotapes, spray cans and graffiti books were discovered in property searches.

Prosecutor ******* said: "The total damage involved in this case was in excess of 70,000 for cleaning requirements to trains and carriages.

"The conspiracy as a whole caused that amount of damage at least over the period of time in the indictment."

The men were remanded in custody until sentencing on June 17.