A graffiti artist prosecuted for vandalising trains has been passing on his skills to Keighley teenagers.

Jake Gardiner worked with Keighley arts group Smallworld just five months after appearing in court when a judge said he hoped he would be given “the most appalling tasks to perform as part of his punishment”.

He and fellow artist Joe Layfield had caused an estimated £40,000 of damage to trains in locations including Oxenhope.

A fortnight ago he returned to Keighley to work alongside artist Nick Halahan, who regularly works with the youth offending team, pupil referral units and schools.

That Smallworld project was part of Gardiner’s community service and he was not paid for his work.

Victims of Gardiner were furious when they saw the picture story in last week’s Keighley News.

One said: “If that is an appalling task who knows what a soft punishment would be.”

Keighley and Worth Valley Railway bosses were appalled to discover Gardiner’s activities.

Railway spokesman Matt Stroh: “It caused consternation around the railway. It’s caused much upset. It feels like being kicked. It’s so disheartening for people who work for us for free.”

Mr Stroh hoped the Smallworld project meant that Gardiner had reformed and “learned the error of his ways”.

Mr Stroh added: “Hopefully, he’s extolling the virtues of doing this as an art form rather than to destroy.”

Sam Atkins, co-ordinator of Smallworld, yesterday said Jake helped Nick show teenagers techniques and styles using boards and LPs to do the artwork on - not trains and walls.

Ms Atkins said: "We did discuss the incident on the railway with the group of young people we worked with as a bad example of irresponsible graffiti.

"The whole point of the workshops was to show how the principles of graffiti art can be used in a responsible way to create something beautiful.

"Small World does not condone vandalism but recognises the popularity of graffiti art and its appeal for young people particularly.

"We also recognise that young people make mistakes and would always hope that they get an opportunity to learn from them and are given a chance to change."