Sand sculpture vandal fined

The City of Albany has praised police after a 23-year-old man was fined in court for vandalising a sand sculpture at Middleton Beach that was part of the city’s Australia Day celebrations.

The man was fined $800 in Albany Magistrates Court last month after pleading guilty to one count of criminal damage.

The community had admired sculptor Tim Darby painstakingly carve a pile of sand into a pair of impressive whales in the days leading up to Australia Day, with the grand unveiling to happen as part of the City’s annual community event.

The sculpture was destroyed on the eve of Australia Day but the community rallied to build a replacement sculpture within a few hours.

City executive director community services Susan Kay said the response from the community was overwhelming

“The City works hard to put on engaging and inclusive events for everyone so it was terribly disappointing, but it was very positive to see the great display of community spirit.”