The judge suspended a nine month jail sentence for a year.
Mr Graham, who had no recollection of the events, had previously stated that he did not agree with people driving large 4x4s, otherwise known as Chelsea tractors, in cities.
However, the judge accepted that this was not the motivation for the vandalism. Only ten of the vehicles he scratched were 4x4s. Others included a red Audi A1, a grey Volvo, a Mercedes and a promotional Mitsubishi 4×4 for the Metro Radio station.
Words he carved into the paintwork included “arbitrary”, “wrong”, “very silly” and “twat”.
The court heard that Mr Graham had enjoyed a distinguished academic career. He was “highly-respected” in his field and had received glowing references.
On the night in question, he had taken antibiotics for an infection contracted after having a tooth removed and was taking medication for an ongoing depressive illness.
He told police that he had also drunk three quarters of a bottle of gin, and having been unable to sleep, must have gone out.
Officers were called after a witness heard scratching on the pavement in the early hours of August 31 and looked outside to see a figure crouching on the ground.
Julian Smith, mitigating, said: “These are extraordinary circumstances which have caused him to feel profound embarrassment and shame.
“Part of him still struggles to comprehend how it is someone with his professional circumstances should find himself before the court answering for these offences.”
He said Mr Graham could remember going to bed, and apart from some “dreamlike memories” the next thing he recalled was being arrested not far from his home in Jesmond, a leafy suburb of Newcastle.
With regard to how his client was dressed, Mr Smith said: “That is not a man who has set out to commit damage to cars, it is a man who is clearly not properly within himself.”
He said the lecturer had shown no signs of aggression when arrested but simply had a bad reaction to the medication and alcohol.
A report by forensic psychiatrist Don Grubin, for the defence, found that Mr Graham had been detached from reality.
The professor admitted four counts of criminal damage and asked for another 23 cases to be taken into consideration.
The judge said: “He is obviously a highly intelligent man. He is married no doubt to a highly intelligent woman. If he needs, he knows where to obtain help.”
He expressed hope that Mr Graham would not lose his job.
A Newcastle University spokesman said: “We will be considering the matter through normal university procedures.”
Lecturer fined £28,000 after scratching graffiti into cars
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