A stalker has admitted sending a BBC presenter a string of sexual and threatening greeting cards.
Gordon Hawthorn, 68, bombarded regional TV host Alex Lovell, 45, with sinister letters for more than two years.
The hand-scrawled notes – signed Gordon – became increasingly graphic and sexually violent.
They were sent to the BBC Points West presenters work and home address and typically contained cute animal cards.
Police eventually released images in the hope someone would recognise the handwriting.
In one chilling message, sent on Valentines Day, the message read: Lots of love and kisses on Valentines Day to my sexy little…..
From your long time secret admirer who has now become your stalker.
Another message read: I hope to be with you very soon. Lots of love and kisses from your stalker and your rapist!!
The breakthrough in the case came just two days after police put out a public appeal showing samples of his handwriting in March this year.
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Its understood a little girl contacted police after receiving a normal letter from Hawthorn and recognising his handwriting.
Hawthorne, from a village called Street in Somerset, admitted stalking involving serious alarm and distress.
The offences were committed between 1 January 2016 and 16 March 2018, Bristol Magistrates Court heard.
In a statement, Ms Lovell said: He stole two years of my freedom with his persistent threats of rape.
Nowhere felt safe and every day I would look over my shoulder wondering if he was as near as he said he was.
He repeatedly described how he would attack me and that he had raped before.
Prior to the threats, Id been receiving letters at work from this man for four years.
In a situation like this, you dont know who your aggressor is – you only know who they claim to be. “Gordon” portrayed himself as obsessive and sexually violent.
More: UK
During this time I found great comfort in an app called HollyGuard. Its free to download and if you find yourself in a threatening situation, you shake it and an alert is sent out to your chosen contacts.
They also receive your GPS position and a live audio and visual feed from your phone.
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I really want to thank everybody who knew what I was going through and supported and protected me.
Please can I urge anybody who is receiving persistent unwanted attention, threats or intimidation to tell the police.
Dont keep it to yourself because no-one should be able to rule or affect your life through fear.
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