Psychiatric reports have been ordered on a former North Weald man who made death threats to two of his neighbours.

The order was made by Judge Gareth Hawkesworth at Chelmsford Crown Court after he heard that the threats were contained in anonymous letters to the victims, a policewoman and a woman prison officer.

Terry Card, 32, now of Romford, but formerly of Beaufort Close, North Weald, has been committed for sentence by Harlow Magistrates' Court after pleading guilty there to two charges of making a threat to kill.

Judge Hawkesworth who said the letters expressed "extreme hostility towards the women" remanded Card on bail for six weeks for the reports to be prepared.

Marie Catterson, prosecuting, said the two women lived in the same road as Card in North Weald.

In July 1998 the police officer received a letter through the post. It contained threats, made up of cut out letters, to blow up her car, kill her dog and rape and murder her.

A month later she received a second letter which said: "Don't think we've forgotten you. You are ........ dead." The message contained a cross and the letters "RIP".

Miss Catterson said in April last year the prison officer received a letter containing a threat that she would die within a month.

Stuck to the letter was a newspaper cutting which said: "Body found in car boot". The letters caused both women distress and concern said Miss Catterson.

Police enquiries led to the arrest of their neighbour, Card, on September 2 last year.

At first he denied the letters were anything to do with him. but after being told forensic tests were being carried out on the letters he said: "Okay, it was me. I didn't mean anything".

In a police interview Card said he had become aware that one of his neighbours had allowed her dogs to foul her lawn. He went round to complain but got no response.

Card said: "That's when it started. That's when I did the letter."

He told police what he had done was "over the top and stupid" adding that he was embarrassed and ashamed.

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