Written by Kerry McQueeney and published on the This Is Local London site at http://www.thisislocallondon.co.uk/

Croydon: The parents of a South Norwood boy who was hit by a train as he sprayed graffiti on a tunnel wall have paid tribute to their 18-year-old son.

Michelle and Peter Wilde, from Norhyrst Avenue, opened their hearts to the a week after a coroner condemned the criminal craze' of graffiti tagging at an inquest into their son's death.

Josef Wilde, a promising business studies student, died instantly on April 28 when he was hit by a train as he sprayed his tag (graffiti signature) on to a tunnel wall near Wandsworth Common station.

Josef's parents say the teenager had developed an artistic streak and got into graffiti writing two years before his death.

His father, Peter, said: "When people hear of graffiti artists they think of problematic young lads from broken homes in deprived areas, but our son was just not like that."

"He came from a very stable, loving, close-knit family. He had no major problems and was very intelligent. He was brought up a practising Catholic.

"We disagreed with his graffiti craze and asked him to stop but he obviously felt a compulsion to continue.

"The two boys who were with Josef at the time of the accident are both still receiving counselling. They are deeply disturbed by the whole thing."

Josef's mother, Michelle, said: "We accept that he was doing something illegal but the graffiti side to our son was just a tiny part of him.

"He loved animals and contributed regularly to an animal charity and he had a long-term girlfriend."

Michelle believes the issue of youngsters addicted to graffiti should be taken more seriously by the government.

She added: "There is a real culture of kids trying to write their tags in the most inaccessible places and this is leading them to more and more dangerous locations, such as train tracks.

"I do believe it is like an addiction, they get a real buzz out of it. Parents should be more aware of the risks.

"In the end Josef paid the ultimate price for this thrill-seeking craze."

Both Peter and Michelle say they are met with an untimely reminder of their son's death every time they see a property daubed with graffiti.

Peter added: "It has been very hard for all of us especially Josef's 13-year-old brother, Jack. He still gets very upset because they were so close.

"Josef's death devastated this family but if his story can save someone else's life then it won't have been in vain."

A verdict of accidental death was recorded by Westminster coroner Dr Paul Knapman on July 18.