Teacher fined for painting over neo-Nazi graffiti

A teacher in Germany is fighting a $1400 fine for spraying black paint over neo-Nazi graffiti and stickers on lampposts and road signs near a public school.

Ralf Bender, 52, challenged the fine in court in the city of Limburg this week, saying he was protecting young students from the obscene Nazi images, which are illegal under German law anyway, reports Nassauische Neue Presse.

"I did not damage any public property," he said, arguing that "the city originally did nothing to remove the disturbing symbols" and that it was his duty to take action.

The city of Limburg, which imposed the fine, argued that Mr Bender had gone too far and removing paint from at least 10 lampposts will cost money.

"If he would have just scraped off the symbols we would have given him a medal, but he went over the top," Alexandra Hesse, a spokeswoman for the city, told NBC News.

A verdict in Bender's appeal is expected next month.