Man spray-painted hate messages across city
A man filmed himself spray-painting Islamophobic and homophobic comments in locations across the city and uploaded it to social media.
Police identified the video on September 18, which linked to graffiti sprayed on a wall at Old Steine on September 9.
His handwriting was also linked to further similar graffiti committed on September 10 and 11 in St James’s Street and New Road.
Following police enquiries, a 49-year-old man was arrested on October 9 and taken to custody.
On October 10, John McMillan, who also goes by the name Johnny Crew, of Lavender Street, Brighton, appeared at Brighton Magistrates’ Court.
He was charged with three counts of criminal damage, and three counts of religiously aggravated criminal damage.
McMillan pleaded guilty to the offences, and was bailed from court with conditions, ahead of his sentencing, scheduled for December 19.
Police Sergeant Daniel Gallichan, of the Hotspot Policing Team, said, “McMillan filmed himself committing an offence and shared the video on Instagram in an attempt to cause further harm.
“The evidence in this case was clear and indisputable, leaving him with no option but to plead guilty to all charges.
“We take all reports of hate crime extremely seriously. Everyone in Brighton and Hove deserves to feel safe, respected, and free from abuse or discrimination.”
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