A man who repainted 37 postboxes in the Dartford area has been given 100 hours of unpaid work for his actions of “criminal damage” as well as having to pay £2,600 in compensation.

Danny Whiskin, of Chaucer Way in Dartford, admitted spray painting postboxes in a variety of different colours and patterns between Wednesday, January 31 and Saturday, March 9, 2024.

Some were repainted multiple times and the total value of the damage is unknown - but is noted to be under £5,000.

The 33-year-old also admitted to damaging a postbox without lawful excuse to the value of £150 on April 16 in Stone, Kent.

On May 31, Whiskin received an 18-month community order, requiring him to attend 12 sessions of a mental health program. Additionally, he must complete 30 rehabilitation sessions and a 26-session thinking skills program.

He must also do 100 hours of unpaid work and pay £2,600 in compensation, along with a £114 victim surcharge to the courts.

Given that Whiskin is on benefits, he will pay his court debt at a rate of £20 per month.

Officers first arrested Whiskin on February 13, and he was subsequently bailed pending further enquiries.

He was then re-arrested after allegedly breaking or being likely to break bail conditions on March 9 and was held in custody by Kent Police.

He was found in public with painting materials, such as Posca pens, which violated the terms of his release.

He received no separate penalty for breaching bail conditions.

A variety of patterns have been seen on the postboxes - on February 4, a postbox on Farnol Road was seen sporting a black and white pattern that looks a little like cow print.

Then on February 19, residents awoke to find some boxes painted pink with gold splotches, just like Mr Blobby.

Mr Blobby is a character originally featured on the British Saturday night variety show Noel's House Party, broadcast on BBC One during the 90s.

Two of the Mr Blobby postboxes were seen in Temple Hill at the corner of Trevithick Drive and Wellcome Avenue and on Joyce Green Lane.

On February 20 a post box on St Vincents Road was spotted painted in purple, gold and red with 'Creme Egg' written on it.

On February 27, the postbox with the Union Jack pattern was sighted in Trevithick Drive.

A drumstick style postbox was seen on March 8 in the Temple Hill.