Teenager Sentenced For Spitting On WW1 Memorial

The memorial stone remembers the K Division officers who gave their lives during the Great War. (Image: Metropolitan Police)

A teenage boy has been sentenced at Stratford Magistrates Court for spitting on a World War One memorial in Newham.

On Monday, the 17-year-old from Ilford was accused of criminal damage and was given a 12-month conditional discharge and ordered to pay £75 compensation.

CCTV captured the 17-year-old spitting on the memorial stone set in the ground at the entrance of Forest Gate Police Station in Green Street, on 10th May.

Investigators extracted DNA evidence from the stone - which matched the teenager, who was then arrested and charged with criminal damage.

Chief Superintendent Richard Tucker, said:

“I hope that this sentence warns other against vandalism of any type. This act was particularly disrespectful against officers who selflessly gave their lives in the Great War.”

District Judge Sims said the teenager’s actions were “not just disrespectful, but despicable”.

The memorial stone was unveiled on 4 August 2014 to remember K Division officers who gave their lives during the Great War.

It details the names of 23 officers of the Metropolitan Police Service ‘K Division’, who lost their lives between 1914 and 1918.