Lewisham People Before Profit Campaigner Pic: People Before Profit

A Lewisham mayoral candidate has been charged with criminal damage and is set to appear in court next week.

John Hamilton, 58 of Pendrell Road, is running as the People Before Profit candidate in May’s mayoral elections.

It is claimed that Hamilton painted a political message about the lack of social rented housing in the borough on the hoarding of a council owned development in Besson Street on March 9.

He is also alleged to have caused damage to a council-owned car with a paintbrush.

Mr Hamilton had been summonsed to appear at Bromley Magistrates’ Court on April 17.