Six-month prison sentence for Lisburn man who sprayed anti-Muslim graffiti in city centre
A Lisburn man who spray painted anti-Muslim graffiti at a number of sites in the city centre has been sentenced to six months in prison, with the judge saying it would act “as a deterrent to other people”.
Mark Robert William Olphert, 45, whose address was given as Lagan View, appeared before Lisburn Magistrates Court on Thursday, February 19, 2026 charged with two counts of criminal damage and one further charge of displaying written material to stir up hatred.
The court heard that on October 3, 2025 at 6am police on patrol in Lisburn city centre noticed anti-Muslim graffiti on a wall at Graham Gardens/Bachelors Walk.
Similar graffiti, as well as a Star of David, was also found at other sites in the city centre.
CCTV showed the defendant carrying out the graffiti at the junction of Wardsborough Avenue and Railway Street in Lisburn city centre.
He was cautioned and interviewed. The defendant made full admission during the interview.
Defence barrister Joel Lindsay said: “I don’t try to excuse the behaviour. It is absolutely abhorrent behaviour.”
Mr Lindsay stated that the probation service had provided a positive pre-sentence report. "There seems to have been a major change by this event,” he continued. ”There is regret and horror at what he has done. His family came down very heavily on him about this.
"He has all the significant marks of shame and regret at what he has done, and an understanding of the horror of what he has done.”
Mr Lindsay said the defendant acknowledges that he “offended a whole religion for no reason”.
He continued: “He seems to be trying to turn his life around. He was blaming the world for everything that had gone wrong in his life.”
District Judge Rosie Watters, who said the defendant’s actions were “so offensive”, commented: “It makes Lisburn itself an unfriendly place for people of that religion.
"He said his actions were impulsive but I can’t really necessarily accept that. He had to get a spray can and go to all these different places.
"I think it was premeditated. I don’t see how it could not be premeditated. Anything anti-Semitic is wrong and anything anti-Muslim is equally as wrong.”
Ms Watters told the defendant: “What you wrote is an incitement to hatred and there are people in our society who live in fear.
"You obviously understand that what you did was wrong but I don’t see there is any other way the court can deal with a case like this but with an immediate custodial sentence to show people it is unacceptable and as a deterrent to other people.”
Ms Watters sentenced the defendant to six month in custody on the two charges of criminal damage, and five months on the charge of displaying written material to incite hatred.
The sentences are to run concurrently, bringing the total prison sentence to six months. Ms Watters also imposed an offender’s levy of £25.
Mr Lindsay sought leave to appeal the sentence and the defendant was released on his own bail pending the appeal.