Donnington man sentenced for stalking woman over five-month period

A Telford man has appeared before magistrates after admitting to a course of conduct that involved monitoring a woman’s movements and accessing her private social media accounts.

Joshua Meakins, 29, of Bradley Fields, Donnington, appeared at Telford Magistrates’ Court on 26 February 2026 for trial. He pleaded guilty to stalking without fear, alarm, or distress, a charge brought under the Protection from Harassment Act 1997.

The court heard that between 1 May 2024 and 22 September 2024, Meakins pursued a course of conduct directed at his victim. The prosecution outlined that Meakins accessed the victim’s email and Facebook accounts without authorisation, attended her home address and monitored her daily activity.

Magistrates were told that Meakins knew, or ought to have known, that his persistent actions amounted to harassment.

In passing sentence, the court took Meakins’ guilty plea into account. He was handed a 12-month community order which includes a requirement to carry out 100 hours of unpaid work.

He must also complete up to 10 days of rehabilitation activity as directed by the probation service.

A restraining order was granted, valid until 25 February 2028. Under the terms of the order, Meakins is prohibited from contacting the victim directly or indirectly. He is also banned from entering a street in Trench.

Meakins was ordered to pay £85 in prosecution costs and a £114 victim surcharge. Payments are set to begin in 2027.