A man repeatedly harassed his ex-girlfriend with dozens of messages and phone calls which has had a “profound” impact on the victim, a court was told.

James Gibbs, 27, threatened to take his own life during a “cry for help”, Welshpool Magistrates’ Court heard on Tuesday, April 26.

The Knighton man has been banned for 12 months from visiting or stopping outside the town’s Co-op/Harry Tuffins supermarket, a cafe in the town, and Wylcwm Street apart from attending Boots pharmacy to collect prescription after pleading guilty to harassing his victim without violence between October 16 and November 22, 2021.

Jeff Bull, chair, told Gibbs: “The impact that this has had has been profound. It’s shocking. But looking at the positives there is a recognition of what you’ve done and you’re dealing with these issues, and we accept that you have turned a corner.”

The court heard that the victim had known Gibbs for three years, and their relationship started as friends but it turned into a casual relationship in early September and ended in mid-October.

Justin Espie, prosecutor, said: “The messages scared her, and she told him.

“Once over a four-day period she received 21 missed calls and video chat requests on Facebook Messenger. She replied telling him that he was scaring her.”

Owain Jones, acting for Gibbs, said the 27-year-old is “grateful in many ways that this offence has caused him to reflect and change his life for the better”.

"He accepts what he has done is wrong, and he is remorseful and ever so sorry to the victim for making her feel the way she did," he said. "It was a cry of help, and he has gone around it the wrong way."

Magistrates gave Gibbs, of High Street, Knighton, a 12-month community order which includes completing 25 rehabilitation requirement days, and wearing an alcohol abstinence tag for 90 days, and imposed a 12-month restraining order.

The requirements of his 12-month restraining order include not seek or approach Nina Bull, nor enter data on any electronic device that refers directly to her.

He was also ordered to pay a £95 surcharge and £85 court costs.