Man who stalked woman on social media despite internet ban avoids prison

Basildon Magistrates' Court in Essex
-Credit:EssexLive


A man who stalked a woman online while he was banned from using the internet has avoided being sent to prison. Jack Bolton-Poole of Rochford was instead issued with an interim stalking protection order.

The order was granted at Basildon Magistrates' Court on January 7 and follows an investigation by Essex Police officers. Jack Bolton-Poole, 23, Doggetts Close, was accused of stalking his female victim by repeatedly contacting her through social media and then making fake profiles and continuing to harass her.

He appeared at Southend Magistrates Court on January 2 to face a charge of stalking just nine weeks after pleading guilty to two previous counts of stalking, disclosing of sexual private images and perverting the course of justice on four other female victims. On that occasion (October 31, 2024), he was given a sentence of two years suspended for 24 months.

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He was also banned from using social media for six months, ordered to complete 60 rehabilitation activity requirement days and given four 10-year restraining orders. On January 2, he was given a 16-week extension to his previous suspended sentence and a 10-year restraining order against his victim.

Investigating officer Detective Constable Chris Horton said: "This offender has caused immense harm by stalking women online. This type of criminal behaviour will not be tolerated. It has a significant impact on victims, causing them immense alarm and distress.

"Bolton-Poole has totally disregarded the sentence the court handed down to him at the end of last year. We will continue to pursue all legal options open to us to keep women safe online, without fear of being harassed in this manner."