Newsreaders' stalker detained indefinately

David Hughes even moved from his home in Duckinfield, Cheshire, to a hotel in Queen's Avenue, Muswell Hill, to be nearer Miss Sommerville, Highbury Magistrates heard on Thursday.

In some of the 390 letters he sent to her he referred to Miss Somerville as "precious Mrs Hughes" and "my common law wife".

He also sent her Valentine cards and gifts which she described as "peculiar and disturbing".

Miss Somerville, 54, told the court Hughes sent her 35 letters in a three-month period earlier this year, prior to his arrest.

Miss Dorothy Johnstone, prosecuting, told the court that Miss Somerville said of the letters: "They were very possessive in nature, indicating the writer felt he had a right to be part of my life and was prevented by a conspiracy of my employees."

Deputy District Judge Azam told Hughes: "This is a very serious matter. Over a ten-year period, ending with your arrest, you embarked upon a campaign of sending unsolicited mail to Miss Julia Somerville.The content of some of the letters was of a lewd, offensive and obsessive nature."

The District Judge said Hughes was suffering from a mental health disorder which made it appropriate for him to be detained in hospital for medical treatment.

District Judge Azam was told in the letters Hughes had stated: "The time for talk is over, action may speak louder than words and "any more funny business, action will be taken. I want your invite in the next day or so."

I n August Hughes was found guilty of one charge of harassing Miss Somerville, and was made subject to an indefinite restraining order preventing him from having any further contact with the broadcaster. A September hearing was adjourned for psychiatric reports and Hughes' final sentence was passed last week.

Hughes' solicitor, Andrew Foreman said: "Mr Hughes has no intention whatsoever of contacting or corresponding with Miss Somerville."