Two members of a graffiti crew that caused almost £25,000 damage to trains and Northern Rail property have been warned to expect custodial sentences.

Bradford teenager Paul Scott and David Broadbent, 20, were involved with a team that struck across the region over 18 months, “tagging” carriages, walls and lineside infrastructure.

Railway carriages, walls and buildings were spray-painted in a graffiti spree that stretched from Skipton to Bradford and Huddersfield.

Scott, 18, of Tyersal Avenue, Tyersal, Bradford, admitted spray-painting two trains and 13 other items of rail property, causing about £4,000 of damage.

Broadbent, of Brook Street, Brighouse, confessed to causing up to £10,000 damage by vandalising nine trains and five other structures.

Both pleaded guilty to damaging property to the value of £21,405 belonging to Northern Rail between February 14, 2009, and July 28, 2010, and damaging Northern Rail property to the value of £3,105 between December 11, 2008, and April 30 last year.

Prosecutor John Topham said the men had pleaded guilty on a basis that was acceptable to the Crown.

They were part of a team or crew and each was responsible for only some of the total damage bill.

Mr Topham told the court the graffiti-damaged trains cost the most to repair and not all the damaged lineside structures were cleaned up.

Adam Walker, Scott’s barrister, said he admitted damaging rail property on 15 occasions over a six-month period.

Mr Walker said he was 16 at the time and he urged the judge to adjourn sentence for a probation service report.

Broadbent’s barrister, Nick Askins, conceded he had been cautioned by the police for a similar offence.

Mr Askins said Broadbent had Asperger’s syndrome and he asked the court to adjourn sentence for probation and medical reports.

The men’s bail was extended until they are sentenced on November 25.

Scott pleaded guilty on Tuesday, the day he was to stand trial, and Broadbent yesterday after the case was moved to a different court.

Judge John Potter, who reserved sentence to himself, told Broadbent: “These are serious offences, Mr Broadbent. People who behave as you did, and indeed Mr Scott did, are normally sent to custody.

“You must prepare yourself for an immediate custodial sentence.”