A GRAFFITI artist faces jail for leaving his ‘tag’ around the island. But the 42 instances of criminal damage Jason Oxley, 20, admitted were, the Magistrate’s Court heard, really research.

Oxley’s tag, ‘isolation’, appeared on, among other things, electricity substation boxes, road signs and skips.

In court he admitted six specimen charges and asked for 36 more to be taken into consideration.

It heard that Oxley, of Reynella, La Croute Lane, St Martin’s, had recently graduated from a media studies course at the College of Further Education.

It involved carrying out research into graffiti art, the prosecution told the court.

Last autumn, the word ‘isolation’ began to appear across the island in both freehand and as stencilled graffiti.

The offences to which Oxley pleaded guilty were committed between 1 September and 31 March.

Ordering a probation report, assistant-Magistrate Cherry McMillen said that all sentencing options would be open.

She said that the court took a very serious view of such vandalism.

‘Despite your youth and good character, the court might consider some form of youth detention,’ said Miss McMillen.

Oxley, who had no previous convictions, will be sentenced on 13 September.