Good news on the Roadsworth front. 

Facing stiff fines and jail time for 53 counts of vandalism, earlier this week Roadsworth pleaded guilty on five counts of mischief, which will keep him out of jail and able to continue painting. All in all, this was the best outcome that one could have asked for. 

Here’s the article from today’s Montreal Gazette

Graffiti artist free to paint - but he has to ask first
Plateau’s Roadsworth strikes plea bargain to avoid hefty fines and criminal record

ALLISON HANES, The Gazette
Published: Thursday, January 19, 2006

It will take a bit of the spontaneity out of his work, but popular Plateau Mont Royal graffiti artist Roadsworth jumped at a plea bargain this week that will allow him to continue painting his colourful murals and avoid a criminal record.

Roadsworth - otherwise known as Peter Gibson - was supposed to go on trial Tuesday in Montreal municipal court on 51 charges of mischief for graffiti he sprayed in and around the Plateau. If convicted, he could have been liable for fines of between $200 and $1,000 per infraction.

But instead, Gibson ended up pleading guilty to five counts, while 47 others were withdrawn, his lawyer Jean-Philippe Desmarais said.

In exchange, Desmarais explained, Gibson was given a conditional discharge - meaning he will have no criminal record and pay no fines if for the next 18 months he abides by three conditions.

He must keep the peace, do community service in the form of a public art project, and, most importantly, seek permission from the borough or city before doing any more graffiti.

“He’s OK with that,” said Desmarais, acknowledging that a key part of the philosophy behind tagging, as graffiti is sometimes known, is spontaneity and free-wheeling rebellion against authority. “It’s one thing he’ll have to accept.”

Helen Fotopulos, the mayor of the Plateau borough, said yesterday the city had always wanted a settlement that strikes a balance between artistic expression and respect for public property.

“This issue has been resolved in a civilized fashion that recognizes the artistic contributions of Roadsworth to the community,” she said. “It’s one where everybody wins.”

While she proudly called the Plateau a neighbourhood renowned for incubating artistic talent, Fotopulos warned that the plea deal does not mean it’s open season for graffiti.

“Vandalism is vandalism and it’s going to be prosecuted and it’s going to be erased,” she said.

The distinguishing factor between vandalism and art will be whether a permit was awarded by the borough beforehand.

Accepting the deal will free Gibson up to continue to paint, Desmarais said. While awaiting trial, he had been prohibited from even possessing the tools of his trade.

Desmarais said it seemed as if police and the city had tried to send a message to vandals by prosecuting Gibson.

“But I don’t think Mr. Gibson was the right person to pass the message with, because his work is not what is traditionally considered graffiti,” he said. “It’s beautiful and nice for the public to look at.”

© The Gazette (Montreal) 2006