What happened to James Ledsham?

James Ledsham was jailed for 30 months for blackmail and sharing intimate photos without consent.

How did Ledsham blackmail the couple?

He blackmailed them by demanding more intimate photos and threatening to share existing ones with their friends and family.

What impact did Ledsham's actions have on the victims?

The victims reported severe emotional distress, shame, and that their marriage was almost destroyed.

Home / Crime and Justice / Blackmailer Jailed for Ruining Couple's Marriage

Blackmailer Jailed for Ruining Couple's Marriage

19 Jan

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Summary

Man jailed for blackmail and sharing intimate photos.
Victims' marriage nearly destroyed by the ordeal.
Blackmailer sent images to friends and family.

Blackmailer Jailed for Ruining Couple's Marriage

A 24-year-old man has been sentenced to 30 months in prison for blackmail and maliciously sharing intimate images. James Ledsham, from Crewe, Cheshire, admitted to the offenses at Chester Crown Court. He had demanded more photos from the victims and threatened to share the images he possessed with their social circle.

The victims initially tried to ignore the threats, which began in September 2024 when Ledsham sent the images to a family member via Facebook. By November 2024, he contacted one of the victims directly. The ordeal left one victim feeling "full of shame and disgust" for an entire year, stating it "almost destroyed our marriage."

Police discovered Ledsham was using a fake name on Facebook to carry out his actions. Following the sentencing on January 12, 2026, Cheshire Police confirmed the significant distress caused. The victims expressed that the sentence brought them justice, allowing them to "finally move on."