Paul Sciascia-Kennedy, 20, of Banyan Street, Warrnambool, admitted in the Warrnambool Magistrates Court to tagging public toilets, power boxes and other public places during his spree with a co-offender during August, September and October last year.

He pleaded guilty to 23 charges of causing criminal damage and was placed on a 12-month community corrections order with a condition he do 120 hours of community work.

Sciascia-Kennedy was also ordered to pay $4032 compensation to Warrnambool City Council and Moyne shire, for tagging in Mortlake.

His younger co-accused pleaded guilty to six additional charges and will have to face his victims in an eight-week group conference process.

Graffiti attacks were committed at Lake Pertobe, on bus stop shelters, signs, bins, public toilets and in central Warrnambool.

Magistrate Cynthia Toose asked why Sciascia-Kennedy should not be imprisoned, asking defence counsel Jack Rabl what was the difference between graffiti and smashing windows.

"What is right about this," she questioned.

Mr Rabl said the offenders had watched videos about graffiti and become fascinated with the graffiti lifestyle.

He said the graffiti was not committed with a malicious intent or to destroy property and the offenders had viewed it as harmless self-expression.

Mr Rabl said they were now ashamed of their actions and wanted to make amends to the community.

"It was a very serious graffiti spree," he said.

Ms Toose said if the offenders wanted feedback they could ask anyone in the community and they would get candid comments.

Sciascia-Kennedy said he was sorry for his actions and had learnt from his mistakes.

The magistrate said public money would be better spent on hospitals, schools or skate parks as opposed to cleaning up graffiti.

She said she found it difficult to understand what enjoyment could be obtained by defacing property and warned Sciascia-Kennedy if he came back to court on similar charges he would face being jailed.

"You have very nearly sabotaged your whole future," Ms Toose said.

"The community is well and truly over this sort of behaviour.”

Sciascia-Kennedy has now obtained a job and said he was enjoying being a painter.