Four women living in the same Colchester street were sent obscene mail by an "extremely simple, slow-thinking" man.

Richard Shackell, 58, pestered the women with letters of a highly offensive nature, pictures, and on one occasion a parcel containing condoms and other material.

This packet was opened by a small girl, Chelmsford Crown Court heard.

And Shackell also sent a letter to one of the women asking for "an appointment" on a particular Friday evening.

As a result, the woman involved was deeply upset and frightened about what was going to happen, the court was told.

Shackell did not know any of the women but he had once had a relationship with another woman in a quiet respectable Colchester street, who was a prostitute.

When she moved, Shackell pestered the new female occupant of the house with disgusting letters, Alan Compton, prosecuting, told the court.

This woman received the parcel which was opened by her daughter and she also received another three letters from Shackell of a "grossly offensive nature," Mr Compton said.

Three other women were targeted by Shackell including the one he sent a letter to asking for an "appointment," he court heard.

Shackell, now of Clacton Road, St Osyth, admitted eight charges under the Post Office Act of sending obscene articles by post when he appeared in court for sentence.

Recorder Robin Purchas QC told him to do 180 hours community service and pay £100 costs.

"Just think for a moment what effect all this had on these women," the judge told Shackell.

"This was depraved and despicable behaviour," the judge added.

Richard Christie, mitigating, said Shackell was simple, slow-thinking and immature. The only relationship he had ever had with a woman was with this prostitute.

"He was in the habit of exchanging intimate correspendence with her as part of the relationship," Mr Christie said.

Shackell was deeply sorry for what he had done and now appreciated the distress he had caused the women, he added.

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