AN obsessed fan bombarded a female DJ with gifts after hearing her voice on the radio.

A court heard that double glazing salesman Timothy Gibbs went by the name of the Candy Man.

Infatuated Gibbs believed Century Radio's presenter Judie McCourt was sending him secret messages through songs she played on the radio, including one called Separate Lives.

He showered her with gifts, sweets and love letters signed by his alias.

One package even contained a ring with a note that said "Marry Me".

Concerned Miss McCourt, from Consett, County Durham, called in police and 43-year-old Gibbs was warned about his conduct.

But when he failed to heed the warning, he was charged and brought before magistrates.

Gibbs, of Arlington Avenue, Montagu Estate, Kenton, Newcastle, pleaded guilty to a charge of harassment/stalking without fear shortly after his arrest in November and was sentenced by Gateshead magistrates after they had considered probation and psychiatric reports.

He was given a community order for 12 months with a requirement that he attends psychiatric treatment in the community.

The bench also imposed a restraining order preventing him contacting Miss McCourt.

Gibbs has since apologised for his behaviour.

After the case, Miss McCourt said: "I am very pleased with the outcome. I'm glad to be able to put it behind me now."

After being sentenced, Gibbs described his behaviour as being the a result of a difficult period he was going through.

"I now want to put it all behind me and get on with my life," he said.

"It was a mistake on my part. I am sorry for what happened, and my solicitor is organising an apology to be sent on my behalf."

Magistrates heard that the stalking took place between July 8 and November 7 when Gibbs became besotted while listening to Miss McCourt on the radio.

Kim Elder, prosecuting, said initially when gifts were arriving at the radio station in Gateshead, Miss McCourt was not too concerned and dumped them.

But as more presents and love letters kept arriving she contacted police.

Gibbs was warned about his behaviour last September, but after a cooling-down period he again started to leave her love tokens. Some arrived at the station and others were hand-delivered by Gibbs.

Miss Elder said: "On November 6, he was seen at her place of work and he returned on November 8 and left a package. At that point police were called and he was arrested."

When arrested, Gibbs admitted he was smitten by her. A partially-written letter to her was found on a table at his home.