A BBC presenter has spoken of her 'nightmare' after a 69-year-old stalker who sent her cards signed 'your future rapist' was jailed for two years.
Alex Lovell, was bombarded with 38 'grossly violent and offensive' greeting cards over a two-year period by Gordon Hawthorn.
Speaking after the case, the BBC Points West in Bristol presenter appealed for other victims of stalking to 'tell someone who can help'.
'Today's decision shows those being stalked or harassed can come forward and will be heard,' she said.
One of the cards, sent on Valentine's Day to Alex Lovell on an unknown year, said 'your secret admirer has now become your stalker'
Ms Lovell said throughout the court case she had received messages from people who said seeing its progress had given them the strength do something about their own situation.
'Stalking can happen to anyone and can take many forms but please don't wait until the situation has become extreme to tell someone who can help,' she said.
'The nightmare is finally over and I'd once again like to thank my friends and family, BBC colleagues and police for all their help and support.'
The cards, often featuring animals on the front, included threats to rape the presenter and claims he had attacked five other women.
Hawthorn, 69, (seen in an undated police mug shot) was jailed for two years and six months for sending the cards to Ms Lovell
They were signed with a distinctive set of five crosses and initially the name 'Gordon', with Hawthorn ending them with 'your stalker' or 'your soon to be rapist' as they became more sinister.
Ms Lovell contacted Avon and Somerset Police after receiving a card in which Hawthorn stated his New Year's resolution was to have sex with her, with or without her consent.
Hawthorn was identified after another woman, who had received a Valentine's Day card at her workplace, recognised his handwriting on a police appeal.
His defence lawyer said he was venting his frustration after 34 years in a sexless relationship.
Judge Martin Picton jailed Hawthorn for two years and six months and imposed an indefinite restraining order, banning him from contacting Ms Lovell or going to the BBC's regional centre on Whiteladies Road in Bristol.
'People in the public eye are entitled to the same respect and privacy as everyone else in society,' the judge told Hawthorn.
'The fact that someone has a high profile does not mean that it can be open season for people such as yourself.
'You need to understand, as does the public in general, that serious consequences result from appalling behaviour of that kind that features in this case.'
Bristol Crown Court heard Hawthorn, of Street, Somerset, bombarded Alex Lovell (pictured on November 29 last year) with dozens of greetings cards - signed with a distinctive set of Xs - from 2012
Judge Picton said the cards made Ms Lovell feel 'disgusted, frightened and miserable'.
The court heard Hawthorn began sending cards to Ms Lovell at the BBC in November 2012, often on occasions such as Valentine's Day, Christmas, New Year's Day, Easter and her birthday.
When police examined Hawthorn's computer, they found he had conducted research on the presenter to establish details including her date of birth.
Prosecuting, Nikki Coombe said the cards described what Ms Lovell had been wearing on television became more 'graphic and distressing'.
Ms Lovell reported the cards to the BBC and police became involved following one card on January 12 in 2016.
This read: 'Make no mistake Alex that I am going to have sex with you this year, even if it means I have to rape you.'
The presenter later told police that reading his explicit threat 'caused her blood to run cold', Mrs Coombe said.
Hawthorn's cards went on to describe how he was following her in the street, had been close enough to smell her hair, knew what she was wearing and threatened to come to her home.
'Mr Hawthorn also said in one of these cards that he had previously sexually assaulted other women and threatened to do that to Ms Lovell, essentially adding her to the list of six other women,' Mrs Coombe said.
'There's no evidence that he has carried out anything like that in the past.'
In March 2018, police published images of Hawthorn's cards and appealed for information about the sender.
Jessica Harding, who had worked in a pub where Hawthorn drank, came forward to say she had received a Valentine's Day card that matched those sent to Ms Lovell.
Officers attended the pub in Street, Somerset and arrested Hawthorn. In a police interview, Hawthorn said he never intended to harm Ms Lovell and described his threats as a 'fantasy'.
'He also sent Ms Lovell an apology card after the media appeal, describing himself as a stupid old fool, saying he wasn't a threat to her and promising not to contact her again,' Mrs Coombe said.
In another card, the date of which is also not known, Hawthorn described himself as 'your rapist'
Another card, in which the stalker signed off with 'lots of love and birthday kisses, Gordon'
One of the letters Hawthorn sent showed two owls snuggling up to each other on a branch
In a victim personal statement, Ms Lovell said she had been looking over her shoulder wondering if her stalker was nearby every day since receiving the first threat.
Security measures were increased at the BBC and at the home she shares with her husband.
Hawthorn arrives at Bristol Crown Court for sentencing today
Representing Hawthorn, Catherine Spedding said her client was remorseful and had been in a relationship with his 74-year-old partner for 34 years.
Detective Chief Inspector Simon Brickwood, of Avon and Somerset Police, paid tribute to Ms Lovell's bravery in speaking out.
He said Hawthorn was now 'paying the price for his cruel campaign of harassment' against the presenter.
'This case highlights the fact that stalking doesn't have to be physically watching or following someone,' the detective said.
'It can take the form of social media, texting, calling, being sent unwanted gifts, or in Alex's case being sent cards or letters.'
Ms Lovell hosted Brainteaser on Channel Five in 2002 after working on a live shopping channel.
She has been presenting on BBC Points West since 2005.
Several other cards included illustrations of other animals, such as a cat (left) and a hare (right)
The cards were signed with a distinctive set of five crosses and initially the name 'Gordon', with Hawthorn ending them with 'your stalker' or 'your soon to be rapist' as they became more sinister
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News Pictures Stalker, 69, who sent cards threatening rape to BBC presenter is jailed
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