An obsessed fan frightened and harassed classical music star Vanessa Mae by bombarding her with letters.

David Martin, 56, of Western Road, Brighton, spent hours watching the violinist, keeping a diary of her movements and sending her letters over eight years, a court heard.

Miss Mae began to fear for her safety as it became obvious from Martin's letters he was following her.

In one letter Martin, who was said to have a fascination with Oriental women, stated: "I will speak to you, you owe me that."

Miss Mae described the harassment as causing her "a great deal of distress".

Martin made attempts to speak to the violinist and also tried to deliver her gifts in person.

At an earlier hearing in West London Magistrates Court, Hammersmith, Martin admitted one offence of harassment on October 17.

He was due to be sentenced on Friday at the same court but the case was adjourned to December 24 for psychiatric assessment. Martin was remanded in custody.

Tele Fashanu, prosecuting, outlined the harassment Miss Mae suffered.

Ms Fashanu said: "This harassment caused a great deal of distress and she was greatly concerned for her safety, particularly when he spoke to her and delivered letters to her address by hand.

"It was quite clear from the content of the letters that he had been following her.

"She wondered whether he was going to harm her or someone close to her."

Miss Mae also said she was "frightened" by the fact Martin was found with a knife when arrested.

The earlier hearing was told Martin used a knife in his job as a hospital engineer but there was no reason for him to have it at that particular time.

Outlining the facts of the case, Ms Fashanu said: "The content of the letters seemed to suggest a relationship existed between Miss Mae and the defendant. Clearly that was not the case."

She said Martin approached her on one occasion as she walked her dog in the park.

Martin asked if they could speak and Miss Mae initially walked away and tried to ignore him.

A short time later he approached the violinist again.

Ms Fashanu said: "She shouted and told him not to speak to her and to leave her alone."

Four notebooks, found in Martin's possession, revealed how the defendant watched Miss Mae for a number of hours on some occasions.

One entry revealed the defendant was watching her address in Kensington, west London. Another said he saw her in the park and then wrote "not happy to see me".

John Armstrong, for Martin, said that if there had been a motive more sinister than harassment it would have been revealed in the letters. He described Martin as an "overzealous", "adoring" fan who attended many of the violinist's concerts.

Mr Armstrong added Martin was fascinated with "Oriental matters" and "Oriental women".