Fan admits stalking Vanessa Mae

A man who sent dozens of "threatening" letters to classical violinist Vanessa Mae today admitted stalking her.

Obsessed fan David Martin, 56, kept log books with detailed descriptions of Miss Mae's movements from her Kensington address. The hospital engineer, who sat silently during the short hearing at West London magistrates' court, was arrested on 17 October outside the star's home, allegedly carrying a knife and a bunch of letters.

Martin, of Western Road, Brighton, pleaded guilty to one charge of harassment but said he was carrying the knife for work reasons and intended no harm to the violinist.

District Judge Davinder Lachar adjourned the hearing for reports and remanded Martin in custody until 5 December. At an earlier hearing Tele Fashanu, prosecuting, said Miss Mae's mother first alerted police to Martin in

1997. He said "the matter was further reported to police in 2001 - there was an increase in the number of letters sent".

On 12 October Miss Mae was approached by the defendant while she took her dog for a walk, added Mr Fashanu. "She was scared for her safety."