Hate mail accused tried to buy neighbour's home

A man accused of mounting a 12-year hate mail campaign against the residents of a small picturesque village tried to buy his neighbour's house, a court heard.

James Forster terrorised his frail and elderly neighbour Molly Christian in a series of sickening threats, it was claimed and then put in a bid for her home when she put it up for sale.

Teesside Crown Court was told that Forster's offer was accepted and later withdrawn after three months because contracts had not been exchanged.

A statement from chartered surveyor Jamie Cameron read out in court said: "Arrangements were made to sell the house to Mr Forster as his offer had been accepted."

Forster, 67, whose address is now Kirklea in Grunton Lane, Manfield, North Yorkshire, is accused of bombarding his neighbours with threatening and obscene letters, including sending a pornographic magazine to a 13-year-old girl.

He denies three charges of threatening to destroy or damage property, three of damaging property, three of sending indecent or obscene mail, one of incitement to commit burglary, and one of putting a person in fear of violence.

The court was told earlier that Forster was behind a long running series of letters, leaflets and posters attacking the reputation of the 21-year-old daughter of his new neighbour Roy Kellett, who eventually bought Mrs Christian's home.