A restraining order has been issued after a Witham man sent a letter to his wife in his blood.

Gary Brett, of Holly Walk, sent 16 letters to his estranged wife in just two weeks - one penned in blood.

He appeared at Chelmsford Magistrates' Court yesterday and admitted harassment between February 26 and March 11 this year.

The court heard that Brett and his wife were getting divorced, but he hand-delivered the letters, begging her to take him back. He also threatened to "do something stupid" if she refused, said Donald Oates, prosecuting.

"He bombarded her with hand-written letters saying he still loved her," said Mr Oates. "One of the letters was written in the defendant's own blood."

Brett, 39, told the court that he and his wife had split up before but had been reconciled. He was hoping that they would get back together again.

"She kept telling me that she thinks a lot of me. She led me to believe that there was still something between us," said Brett.

"I realise now that there is nothing at all there any more."

The magistrates issued a two-year restraining order, telling Brett that he could have no contact with his wife. They also sentenced him to a six-month community rehabilitation order.

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Published Friday, March 15, 2002