MAN BANNED FROM RYDE FOR STALKING
Update 02/05/2026: Man who admitted making child sex abuse videos has avoided a prison sentence.James Sheath, 40, of Thackery Road in Southampton, but formally of Newport, appeared at the IW Crown Court on Wednesday, April 29, for sentencing after pleading guilty to making indecent images of children.
Sheath admitted making one moving child image of Category B and 20 further moving images of Category A – the most serious kind.
Due to the offences being three-and-a-half years ago, and Sheath's mental health, the judge said he had been persuaded to hand Sheath a two-year community order, which includes mental health treatment, 100 hours of unpaid work and a Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO) for five years.
Sheath was told he must pay significant court costs due to his decision to withhold his guilty plea until the day of his trial, but due to being on benefits, the judge reduced the cost to £200.
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An Isle of Wight man named James Sheath, formerly residing at Manor Crescent, Newport, and currently with no fixed address, has been prohibited from entering the town of Ryde as he awaits sentencing.
This follows his admission to stalking his former partner.
He appeared before Southampton magistrates on Wednesday, February 19, and initially denied but later admitted to the offence of stalking without causing fear, alarm, or distress, between December 17 and December 25 of the previous year.
The court proceedings revealed that Sheath engaged in multiple harassing behaviors, including posting on social media, sending numerous messages, and making calls directed at his victim, despite her not wanting this contact.
As part of the legal process, he was granted unconditional bail until April 3, with a pre-sentence report to be prepared.
Conditions of his bail include a strict ban from entering Ryde.
The case was adjourned for sentencing, and more details indicated ongoing concern regarding his conduct.
The incident has been categorized under crime and more specifically as stalking on the Isle of Wight.
