Hadley man sentenced for harassment of woman via Xbox and social media

A Hadley man has appeared before Telford Magistrates’ Court to be sentenced following a sustained campaign of harassment against a local woman.

James Bleasdale, 25, of Witton Road, was handed a community order and a multi-year restraining order after pleading guilty to harassment without violence.

The court heard that between 30 November 2024 and 23 May 2025, Bleasdale pursued a course of conduct which he knew, or ought to have known, amounted to the harassment of a woman.

The prosecution detailed how Bleasdale repeatedly contacted the victim by telephone and sent a series of unwanted messages via both social media and text. In a further breach of privacy, he also accessed the victim’s private Xbox account during the six-month period.

Magistrates took his guilty plea into account when delivering the sentence on 4 March 2026. Bleasdale was issued a 12-month community order, which includes a requirement to complete up to 15 days of rehabilitation activity under the supervision of the probation service.

To protect the victim, the court also imposed a two-year restraining order. Under the terms of the order, which remains in place until 3 March 2028, Bleasdale is prohibited from contacting the victim directly or indirectly.

In addition to the community requirements, Bleasdale was ordered to pay a fine of £108, a victim surcharge of £114, and costs of £200 to the Crown Prosecution Service.

The court issued a collection order allowing the total balance to be paid in monthly instalments of £20 starting in April.