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TJ’s mum Judy Dolan with her son’s letter from prison, and right, the T-shirts designed as part of the campaign to free Dolan and Whittaker
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Jailed graffiti artist sends emotional letters to family
Laura Thistlethwaite12/ 9/2007
ONE OF the two jailed graffiti artists has revealed concern for his co-defendant in emotional letters sent from prison to family and friends back home.
TJ Dolan, 20, of Leek Road, Sutton, was jailed for 15 months after pleading guilty to vandalising railway property at Manchester Crown Court two weeks ago.
Writing from Lancaster Farms prison, he expressed worries about fellow spray can artist and co-defendant Tom Whittaker, 18, of Brocklehurst Avenue, who was imprisoned for 12 months after also admitting offences.
He said: "Me and Tom have been separated. I don’t know where he is. There is no reason we’re not together... and the staff don’t know why we are separated.
"I am very worried about him... and I am really concerned on how he will be coping. I’m finding not knowing increasingly difficult and feel I have to help him."
The pair, who have been friends since taking art courses at Macclesfield College, have now been moved to Deerbolt prison in County Durham, but it is unknown whether they are together.
TJ’s letter also revealed he was thinking of the young offenders and underprivileged children he works with at art projects in Manchester, calling them "my kids".
He said: "It’s a different world in here and I know I say things like that about my kids (at work) but this really hits home.
"Having such a part to play in my community and now coming here with very little control on everything is hard."
Local graffiti artists are currently working on a campaign to free the duo, who are known by their tags "Krek" (TJ) and "Mers" (Tom).
So far around 1,400 people have united in support of the Macclesfield boys on the ‘Free Kreky’ group on social networking website Facebook.
Friends are also holding a ‘Skate and Graf Jam’, on London Road, Manchester, on Saturday, September 15, to raise awareness of their case.
And Note shop in Manchester’s Northern Quarter has even started selling ‘Free Krek Free Mers’ T-shirts.
The jailed artist’s letters also thanked family and friends for writing to him and talked of the "zoo of angry people" he encountered in prison.
He said: "Already it’s sinking in how good everything is beyond this zoo of angry people, out there, where we belong.
"The people I’ve met say ‘yo, he looks like Oasis, innit!’ So they’re not far off (wink wink). Think I may get a haircut – I’ve been advised to by staff and inmates, but it seems a shame to change who you are even in small aspects."
He ended the letter: "I can’t believe I’m here, it’s bound to be difficult but some people are here for good and there is a big light on for after my time here. Love you everyday, see you very soon – I’m fine."
The two boys have announced they are to appeal against sentence.
YOU can read the letters in full by clicking on the link to the right ...
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1/10/2007 at 15:20
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