A FORMER hospital porter became obsessed with a waitress he met at a cafe, Mold Crown Court heard.

Raymond Price, 61, started sending her letters which she found frightening and threatening.

He made a threat to rape her and subject her to extreme sexual violence – saying other men would hold her down while he had sex with her.

Price, who worked as a porter at the Countess of Chester Hospital for 27 years, wrote that if she told anyone about the letters then she would ‘come off worse’.

But the victim told police and forensic tests on the letters led police to arrest Price, who admitted what he had done.

The defendant, of Sandy Lane in Saltney, admitted a harassment charge and Judge Niclas Parry told him it was a very serious case.

“It was repeated and it involved threats of extreme sexual violence,” the judge told him.

Judge Parry said that it was a disturbing case and told Price: “You clearly have an unhealthy interest in women.

“I consider that you do pose a risk to women that needs to be addressed.”

The court heard Price was a man of previous good character who was lonely after the death of his wife and suffering from mental health issues.

The judge imposed a 52-week prison sentence, suspended for two years.

The judge also made a restraining order that Price is not to approach the victim, he is not to go within 100m of where she works or enter Llangollen.

Elizabeth Bell, prosecuting, told how the victim received four letters between March 10 and March 29 in which threats to rape her were made.

Gareth Roberts, defending, said Price admitted straight away that he had sent the repulsive and threatening letters to an entirely innocent lady.

“He knows he has caused her distress, embarrassment and fear,” he said.

The court heard Price lost his hospital job about eight years ago. A couple of years after that his wife died and he had suffered from depression.

“Since then he has been a rather vulnerable and lonely man with few friends,” said Mr Roberts.

He added: “My client is extremely sorry for what he has done. He understands the consequences of his actions upon her. He is someone who needs help.

“He will never act in this way again.”