A 40-year-old Slimbridge man who breached a restraining order two days after being sentenced has been given a last chance to sort out his life.

On September 12th last year Marcus Bladen, now of no fixed address, but formerly of St John’s Road, Slimbridge, was sentenced at Gloucester Crown Court for a number of assault charges and similar offending against a woman.

He received a community order and a restraining order which banned him from making contact with the woman by any means.

However, the court heard last Thursday (March 27) that two days later, on September 14th 2023, Bladen made over 100 attempts to contact the woman by phone, text and social media.

Having answered one of the calls the woman did not want to engage with him any further as she was in hospital at the time.

She told the police she was looking forward to getting on with her life without Bladen but his unwanted contact demonstrated that in her view the court order was not working.

Judge Ian Lawrie KC interjected: “This was persistent behaviour.”

Bladen was arrested on September 15 and told police that he had a drink problem.

When he was released from prison after being remanded for eight months and sentenced to a community order he resorted to alcohol on his release.

Naomi Alywin prosecuting said: “Bladen, in his police interview, said he doesn’t recall trying to contact the woman, but having seen the evidence, he now accepts he did.”

Catherine Flint defending said: “Bladen is remorseful over his offending which occurred so soon after being released from prison.

"Despite him reoffending, I would recommend following the conclusions of the pre-sentence report that includes an alcohol monitoring requirement.”

Judge Lawrie agreed and added: “I do have a number of concerns, but parking him in prison doesn’t resolve his issues to get off this merry-go-round.”

In sentencing Bladen to a 24 month community order Judge Lawrie told him: “This order will in part will help you treat women with respect.

"This is your last judicial chance to sort your messy life out and your assorted other problems. I also think you are dangerous, because your track record is worrying."

The order consists of a mental health assessment for the length of the order, 30 programme days, 10 rehabilitation activity requirement days and 120 day alcohol monitoring.

The judge ordered that Bladen complete 200 hours of unpaid work at attend monthly judicial reviews and subjected him to the terms of a restraining order not to contact his victim by any means.