William Ross Burgess was convicted of a string of offences in Tamworth Local Court stemming from a vandalism spree across Tamworth on the night of May 15 and into the early hours of May 16.

Magistrate Roger Prowse ordered Burgess to perform 360 hours for two counts of destroying or damaging property, including the skywalk at the Tamworth Regional Playground.

The now 20-year-old was also fined more than $1,000 for larceny, four other counts of damaging property and found guilty without conviction for an offence of entering inclosed lands.

Burgess pleaded guilty to damaging the structural cable ropes at the playground as well as six other offences from vandalism incidents at the Tamworth Botanical Gardens along with the Lookout.

Prosecutors dropped one charge of aggravated break-and-enter in company.

Burgess’ co-accused Hayden John Whitney also appeared for sentencing before his case was adjourned to mid-November after Mr Prowse ordered a full community service order assessment to see if he’s eligible to perform the work.

He faces sentence for eight offences including six counts of damaging property as well as larceny and entering inclosed lands.

A further charge of entering inclosed lands and aggravated break-and-enter in company were withdrawn in court.

He remains on bail ahead of sentencing next month.

A third co-offender, aged 17, who cannot be identified because he is a juvenile, was ordered to perform a total of 170 hours of community service.

He admitted to a string of similar charges and was sentenced in Tamworth Children’s Court on eight charges from the crime spree.

He was also fined $460 and ordered to pay $2,200 in compensation to Tamworth Regional Council.

The Leader revealed in July the damage bill to repair the skywalk and associated works at the playground was close to $97,000. 

Following a public outcry on the damage to the playground, one of the teenagers handed himself into police before officers arrested a second at his home in Quirindi and the 17-year-old at a Westdale address. 

The equipment re-opened to the public on July 22, following repairs.