A PERVERT who terrorised two women with sexually-explicit mail was spared jail last night.

Richard Whitfield, of Forster Avenue, Sherburn, County Durham will instead receive treatment at a sex offenders' unit after Durham Crown Court heard the devastating effect the mail had on his victims

Since July 1997, the optical engineer, who works at Dunelm Optical in Spennymoor, had sent photographs of himself naked from the waist down to two women in the Durham area.

The 45-year-old also sent greetings cards containing lewd suggestions to his victims at Christmas, Valentine's Day and other special occasions.

One of the women, a 52-year-old devout churchgoer, said she thought she would be raped and she feared for her life after she received the mail.

The woman was sent ten pieces of mail, containing photographs and drawings, until Christmas 2001.

The other victim felt that her security had been threatened after she also received cards and photographs from Whitfield.

The 41-year-old contacted the police in January to tell them that she was receiving obscene mail after detectives went public about the offences.

Defence barrister John Temple said Whitfield was remorseful about his actions. He said: "He would wish me to offer his apologies to the victims."

Judge Beatrice Bolton decided against sending Whitfield to prison so that he could receive treatment. She told him: "I have grave concerns about what has become of your sexual fantasies. It seems to me that you very much need to be assisted and treated."

"Passing a custodial sentence in the long term would not benefit the community because you would not be getting the treatment you require.

"These two women have been put through hell."

Whitfield had pleaded guilty to eight offences of sending obscene mail and one of harassment.

He was made the subject of a three-year community rehabilitation order.