Stephen Nunn, 60, was caught by police spray-painting the camera in Hayes Lane, Bromley in October last year.

Police questioned Nunn before searching his home in West Wickham, where they found posters and other paraphernalia relating to the anti-ULEZ campaign, Bromley Magistrates' Court heard.

Althea Moore, prosecuting, said: 'At 10.20 pm on October 27 in Hayes Lane, Bromley, officers patrolling the area on an unrelated matter came across the defendant.

“He was dressed in what they described as all black, carrying a long pole with a mechanism on the top, a spraying device, which he had pointed at the ULEZ camera, spraying it with white paint.

“TfL is aware of the damage, and the operation to clean a camera is £349.78 on average per unit.”

Nunn's defence barrister Len Hodkin told the court that the introduction of ULEZ had created significant problems for Nunn.

He was being charged £12.50 each time he left the house to care for his brother, who has bipolar disorder or go shopping.

Nunn had worked as a self-employed carpenter for the last 40 years, but that came to an end two years ago when he had an operation on his shoulder, the court heard.

He and his wife fell upon hard times as he was the sole breadwinner, so he used up his life savings and had to borrow money to keep the household going.

He was released on unconditional bail ahead of the sentencing hearing on 13 December.