Olive German-Ross, 20, was discharged without conviction yesterday after the Dunedin District Court heard she had the chance to take up a mentorship with Wētā Workshop.
The Wellington company shot to prominence after its special-effects triumph in The Lord of the Rings films and its industry-leading skills have been recognised in the form of five Academy Awards.
Counsel Jo Turner said German-Ross’ uncle worked at Wētā Workshop and had agreed to mentor her after she graduated at the end of next year.
In a letter to the court, her uncle explained that any kind of conviction would be a barrier to the industry as it involved overseas travel at short notice.
The first-time vandal offended with graphic artist and skateboarder Harry Alan Dolan, 23, early on June 7.
Dolan had tagged the word "HAROS" in various places along George St, while his partner-in-crime had spray-painted the image of a cat with a love heart and different iterations of the word "BUGS" in bubble letters.
Shortly after noticing the fresh tags, police found the two in Great King St.
When asked what was in the bag he was holding, Dolan replied: "spray paint".
For graffiti and possession of its implements he was also discharged without conviction.
Ms Turner noted he had put in 60 hours volunteering for Taskforce Green, removing graffiti around the city and helping it with the recent heavy rain response.
In court, she cited a glowing character reference for her client that spoke of his positive influence in the Dunedin art scene and his contribution to the skateboarding community.
She said her client explained the incident as a "foolish, drunken, intoxicated decision" he wished not to repeat.
German-Ross had also shown remorse by donating $300 to a community organisation and gave the owner of the property she defaced $127.
Justice of the peace Ian Griffin said he took the woman’s age and clean record into consideration when making his decision.
He recognised her willingness to make amends, and noted the graffiti did not involve significant damage but was "more an expression of youthful indiscretion".
"A conviction might not be in the best interests of her future," he said.
