A teenager from Norwich has been fined after he was caught on camera urinating over a statue of Thomas Gainsborough in the Suffolk town where the artist was born.

A teenager from Norwich has been fined after he was caught on camera urinating over a statue of Thomas Gainsborough in the Suffolk town where the artist was born.

The public order offence happened in Sudbury on Good Friday and resulted in the 19-year-old being given a fixed penalty notice of �80.

The incident, in the early hours of the morning, has caused outrage in the birthplace of Gainsborough - one of the most celebrated artists in history.

Diane Perkins, director of Gainsborough's House museum and gallery, in Gainsborough Street, said: "Gainsborough House is very disappointed to hear the statue has been defaced in such a way."

Stefan Kosciuszko, chairman of the Save Gainsborough Country Action Group, said: "It is sad that this has happened. Gainsborough, and his memory, is a special aspect of our beautiful district."

Insp Paul Crick said it was witnessed by a public volunteer trained to monitor the CCTV cameras in the town centre from Sudbury Police Station.

He added: "The officers were able to quickly identify the offender and he was dealt with by way of fixed penalty notice. Such behaviour is offensive and will not be tolerated."