A MAN who caused £8,000 worth of spray paint damage from hundreds of attacks across West Dunbartonshire has been jailed.

James Richmond appeared at Dumbarton Sheriff Court last week having previously pleaded guilty to the five-month campaign of destruction and an assault of a shopworker.

The 39-year-old, of Alexander Street, Alexandria, sprayed graffiti on buildings, road services, pavements, and street furniture on the A811, A812, A813 and A82 linking Alexandria, Balloch, Bonhill, Clydebank, Dumbarton and Renton.

More than 400 incidents happened between January 1 and May 27 this year.

Around 3.40pm on January 18, at the Argos in St James Retail Park, he assaulted an employee by attempting to kick him. It was unprovoked.

Last week defence solicitor Brian McGuire said his client's situation was "anything but normal" and he suffered from mental health problems, including cannabis-induced psychosis.

The case had to recall to give Mr McGuire time to speak to Richmond after trying to explain the limited options to him in the dock.

Richmond was heard saying from the dock: "I'm trying to get out of here."

The court was told there were more than 400 instances of vandalism costing £8,000 in damage.

Mr McGuire said his client was shining a torch in people's faces over the Argos.

He said: "He is known for using a torch in daylight and nighttime and is regularly seen in the area. That's some indication of the world he lives in."

Mr McGuire said the Blue Triangle project had tried their best to help Richmond, but it was difficult for them to do much more than provide a roof over his head.

He also noted Richmond appeared to suffer from diabetes and was not regulating it, and some of the spray painting and marking was related to that.

Sheriff Maxwell Hendry said: "His bizarre behaviour, which as a society we do our best to tolerate and live with, sometimes crosses the line, such as when he aims a kick at someone and when he causes £8,000 in damage to the community."

Richmond was jailed for six months, backdated to October 21 for the "campaign of vandalism lasting months". He was admonished for the assault.

West Dunbartonshire Council have been approached for comment.