Photo: Deborah Pfeiffer

A young man who spray painted political graffiti on two Penticton buildings was given a suspended sentence and 16 months probation, Wednesday.

Judge Gale Sinclair handed Ryan Rose the sentence, saying the vandalism was not artistic expression, but mischief, pure and simple

Rose, 24, represented himself in court.

He faced two charges of mischief ($5,000 or under) stemming from the incident on April 30.

On that date, graffiti was painted on the interior and exterior of the building that housed the office of MP Dan Albas.

Crown witness Rudy Enzmann, who was employed there, said Rose entered the office and demanded to know if he was the MP. He was angry and talked about being arrested at the Burnaby Mountain protest, government robocalls, Bill C-51 and pipelines.

Enzmann saw that Rose had a spray paint can in his possession and, when he exited he could smell fresh paint.

Building owner John Vassilaki, Fire Chief Wayne Williams, Rose's mother and the arresting officer all testified.

Rose apologized to Vassilaki for the cleanup costs. The councillor noted he's also a politician and this was not the right way to go.

Williams described looking across the street from the firehall and seeing somene spray painting the Canada Revenue Agency building on Winnipeg Street.

He alerted RCMP, who caught up with Rose as he drove back to Summerland with his mother.

RCMP Const. Ryan Shedden said Rose was agitated and yelling anti-government slogans.

Rose's mother told court he was upset about the death of his father, the loss of their home and political matters, from Bill C-51 to the war against ISIS.

Rose started his testimony by saying he wouldn't recognize the judge's decision.

He admitted to spray painting the buildings, but said it was artistic expression. He declined to comment on his involvement in any other protests.

Sinclair disagreed, but said the matter was not one for incarceration, expressing hope Rose would seek out some help.

His probation conditions include staying away from the two buildings on Main and Winnipeg streets and participating in assessment counselling.