A TENANT involved in a wrangle over rent arrears threatened to rape a council housing officer in poison pen letters sent to her office.

Peter Fraser later said he wanted to repay her for the "misery" he claimed she brought him, in her role with Chester-le-Street District Council's housing department.

Durham Crown Court heard that Fraser was jailed for two months for punching the woman in a meeting at Chester-le-Street Civic Centre over rent arrears on his former home, in Sixth Avenue, in October 2003.

A letter arrived at the civic centre addressed to the female official in October.

The writer claimed he was going to rape her, and added: "We know every move you are making and where you live."

Geoff Taylor, prosecuting, said: "It had quite a devastating effect on her as a result of which she had to stop work and hasn't gone back since."

He said a further letter stated: "We are still watching you and waiting to rape you soon."

Fraser was traced through a finger print and was arrested the day after the second letter arrived.

He admitted sending the letters, which were intended to make the woman anxious.

Mr Taylor said police found a third letter ready to be posted.

Euan Duff, mitigating, said: "There were continuing difficulties and he still feels it was this individual causing his life to be in the state it was, a complete misery. He's frank enough to tell everyone he wanted her life to be as miserable as he was."

But Mr Duff said Fraser had been in custody for 55 days since his arrest, and added: "He assures me today he has learned his lesson. It's in the past and there will be no repetition of this, whatsoever."

Fraser, 34, of a homeless persons' unit in Plawsworth, near Chester-le-Street, admitted harassment.

Jailing him for a year, Recorder Howard Crowson ordered an extended licence period of a further four years.

He issued a five-year restraining order preventing Fraser contacting the woman.