AN OSWESTRY man has admitted using crayons to daub ‘cries for help’ and a tally chart of how many pleas for water he says went without reply from police on a cell wall.

Jack Fraser, 30 and of Glentworth View in Morda, pleaded guilty to one charge of criminal damage under £5,000 at Telford Magistrates Court on Tuesday, December 19.

The defendant, who has a number of mental and physical health issues, was kept for around 41 hours by officers in Shrewsbury after he was arrested for other matters which were later dropped.

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Prosecutor Hannah Baddeley told the court that Fraser has written ‘help’ and ‘drink’ on the walls of his cell after he was given the crayons and a colouring book to help pass the time.

Ms Baddeley added that the defendant told officers, when he was re-arrested, that ‘it’s not criminal damage, it’s just crayon and it rubs off’.

Martin McNamara, defending, said his defendant’s case was not in the public interest and highlighted his many health issues.

He added that Fraser had complained of chest pains and has now had a heart condition confirmed.

He said: “It was ‘sheer frustration’ of being kept in a cell for a day and half and it was cry for help.

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“He was cleaning it off when he was re-arrested and offered to clean it with a wet cloth and is a low seriousness case.”

Lead magistrate Nicola Hughes gave Fraser a six-month conditional discharge and ordered him to pay £26 victim surcharge.

She refused the prosecution’s request for £50 compensation and did not order costs.