Barker's fear at 'Jill Dando' poison letter

The writer of a 'grossly offensive' letter to BBC presenter Sue Barker mentioning the murder of Jill Dando was warned he faced up to six months in jail yesterday.

Ms Barker, 48, was so concerned by the 'unpleasant, hurtful and vindictive' message from Barry Tullett that she reported it to police. Sarah Counsell, prosecuting, said: 'As she read through the letter, she became increasingly concerned.

'The language is not only threatening but grossly offensive.'

The note referred to the murder in 1999 of Crimewatch presenter Dando, who was shot at her home in Fulham, South-West London. Barry George was jailed for life for the killing in 2001.

Unemployed Tullett, of Barking, East London, was angry that scripts he had written were used by the BBC without crediting him, his counsel Suman Sharma claimed. He also wrote two threatening letters to a journalist.

Tullett, 57, admitted three charges under the Malicious Communications Act at West London Magistrates Court.

The case was adjourned until February 10 but the chairman of the bench, Marcia Jaques, said a large fine or jail for up to six months were possible.