A 'STALKER' breached a restraining order by sending 'malicious' letters to a council worker which left her feeling 'sick' and 'scared', a court heard.

David Griffiths denies breaching a restraining order by sending four letters criticising a council procurement officer and charity volunteer. The 50-year-old of Bridge Street, Worcester disputes sending the letters criticising Sheila Mari between December 9 and December 19, 2017. The prosecution say the letters were sent to Worcester City Council, Malvern Hills District Council, Wychavon District Council and Cllr Jo Hodges in breach of a five year restraining order imposed on February 19, 2016.

The order prohibited the defendant having any contact, directly or indirectly, with Miss Mari.

Ekwall Singh Tiwana, prosecuting, said the letters were signed by Alan Taylor of Spring Hill, Worcester, but that Griffiths had 'used' him. The complainant met Griffiths in 2012 at the Survivors mental health charity in Worcester where he worked as a volunteer. Mr Tiwana said Mr Taylor had 'his problems, as will become apparent' and added: "He was picked on, we say, by this defendant to effectively sign letters."

In police interview Griffiths denied knowing Mr Taylor but admitted he knew Miss Mari, disputing that he had sent the letters.

However, Miss Mari said when she saw a copy of the letter, sent recorded delivery: "I knew it was him."

Miss Mari gave evidence behind a screen, telling the jury: "He was convicted of stalking me in 2016."

She had chaired Survivors and worked as a procurement officer for Wychavon District Council, Malvern Hills District Council and Worcester City Council as part of a shared service. She told the jury how she was handed a hard copy of the letter by manager Caroline Smith and shown scans of the others.

In the letter the author said they were 'outraged about the behaviour of this public employee' and spoke about her 'mendacity' and her 'perverting the course of justice to pursue a wicked and corrupt agenda'.

Miss Mari, breaking down in tears, said: "I felt sick when I saw it. I was shocked. I had already received three other sets of letters."

Cross-examined by Michael Aspinall, Miss Mari was asked if she disliked Griffiths and she answered: "I'm scared of him."

Mr Aspinall asked if she believed members of the public could criticise the council and she said it depended in what way and said there was a formal complaints channel.

She said the letters were 'malicious, vexatious and defamatory of my character'.

The trial continues.