A MAN has been fined for causing £2,000 of damage to the statue commemorating Hull singer David Whitfield.
Carl Mathew Laurenson, 39, vandalised the long-awaited bronze statue of the 1950s singer when he was caught swinging on it.
The statue, which is situated outside Hull New Theatre, was officially unveiled in September by the late singer's widow, Sheila.
It was commissioned by the Hull-based David Whitfield International Appreciation Society, which raised the £50,000 needed to fund it.
However, just weeks later, it was damaged when part of the replica microphone on the statue was broken off.
Police were called after CCTV operators spotted a man swinging from the statue.
Laurenson, of Chanterlands Avenue, west Hull, has pleaded guilty at Hull Magistrates' Court to damaging property on October 6.
Chairman of the magistrates bench Allan Stather ordered him to pay the David Whitfield Appreciation Society £500 compensation.
He was also ordered to carry out 80 hours of unpaid work in the community.
Laurenson was also ordered to pay a £60 victims' surcharge and £85 court costs.
The repairs to the statue were completed last month and the microphone has been reinforced to prevent it happening again.
Sculptor Graham Ibbeson, who spent nine months creating the bronze statue, said: "Nothing like this has happened to any of my other sculptures.
"It's unusual because most people tend to respect artwork and the subject."
