Sentence on a pervert who stalked Radio 2 DJ Sara Cox has been adjourned for a psychiatric assessment.

Tony Collins appeared at Maidstone Crown Court for sentence today but a judge said there had to be a full risk assessment before it could go ahead.

The 49-year-old, who has previous convictions for harassment, claimed he found out Miss Cox’s London address by paying £17 on the internet.

Using her married name of Cyzer, he wrote letters to her in distinctive green felt pen, as well as writing to her husband Ben at his workplace.

When arrested, Collins was found to have indecent pictures of young children at his home in Afghan Road, Chatham.

He admitted harassment and possessing and making indecent photographs of a child.

Collins watched on a video link from Elmley Prison as prosecutor Mary Jacobson told how he sent distressing letters to the well known radio broadcaster and her husband.

Ms Cox , 42, had received a letter from him more than a year before she complained to the police, but did not do anything about it.

The envelope sent on January 24 this year contained two letters and a photo of himself. She informed the BBC.

In the letters he spoke of being lonely and his “extensive criminal record”, adding he was psychologically disturbed and schizophrenic.

“What would you do if you lost your health?” he asked.

“I am lonely. I live in a bedsit for poor people. I am unhappy.

“My name is Tony Collins. I am 49. I have green eyes. I know you are married to Ben Cyzer and he is a successful man.

“I know you are an ambassador for Centrepoint homeless for London. Don’t feel sad for me. I listen a lot to Radio 2 and your show.”

Miss Jacobson said Collins mentioned Ms Cox’s dog by name and her love of horses. “They are psychic,” he wrote. “They know our feelings.”

He gave his mobile phone number and address.

"This was causing concern given the reference to knowledge of her husband,” said Miss Jacobson.

He asked to be invited to the BBC studios and told her: “I apologise for writing to your home address. I got it for £17 on the internet.”

He said she was “sexy and attractive” and “a fantastic woman of 42.”

He gave her date of birth, declaring: “I have done my research online.”

“It clearly caused her concern,” said Miss Jacobson.

On February 7, Mr Cyzer received a letter from Collins at his work. It contained a scientific diagram involving cancer analysis.

He addressed him as Ben and asked him to contact him on his mobile phone. The envelope contained a photo of Ms Cox carrying a baby.

“When he told his wife, she was understandably much more scared, is how she phrased it,” said Miss Jacobson.

“At that stage, the police were contacted.”

When arrested at his home on February 10, Collins said: “I am guilty of the offence you are talking about."

Others letters which had not been sent to Ms Cox were found, along with cuttings and pictures.

There was also a picture of a BBC visitor’s pass and a document about farming, which he said he was thinking of sending to her father as he knew he was a farmer in the north.

Collins had various magazines with pictures of young girls and indecent pictures printed form the internet.

There were three in the second highest category of seriousness and eight in the lowest category of girls as young as four naked and in sexual poses.

He also had pictures of girls under 10 from an American beauty pageant, a printout about child prostitutes and a documentary about child sex abuse victims.

Collins made full admissions, saying he was attracted to Ms Cox and “wanted to be in the news”.

He agreed it was harassment.

“He said he didn’t want her to be distressed but knew he was harassing her,” said Miss Jacobson.

“He considered attending her home address.

"Tony Collins said he didn’t want her to be distressed but knew he was harassing her" - Miss Jacobson - prosecutor Mary Jacobson

“He wrote to her sister at her place of work. He sent a text message to her brother. He had knowledge of her father’s address.

“He wrote to several high profile media personalities. He believed court action and injunction may be the solution to his behaviour. He said he is mentally unwell.

“He hopes he will receive the help required to address his behaviour.

"He made full admissions about the indecent images. Again he said he is unwell and can’t help what he does.

“He has a strong interest in girls above the age of nine and fantasises about having sex with them. He downloads pictures from an internet cafe.

“He says he would like help as he always has these thoughts and knows it is wrong.”

Collins had eight convictions for 13 offences dating back to 1991. They included harassment and breaches of restraining orders.

On one occasion he followed a nine-year-old girl from school to her home and left her a note with his mobile phone number and address on it.

He had also befriended two girls, aged 15, who attended his home to drink and smoke.

Miss Jacobson applied for a restraining order banning contact with Ms Cox and her family.

Adjourning sentence until after July 11, Judge Martin Joy said: “It is plain there must be a psychiatric assessment in this case. There must be a full risk assessment.”

Told there was a recommendation in a pre-sentence report for custody, the judge added: “Whether it is custody or a mental health disposal may depend on further reports.”

Collins was remanded in custody and will be produced at court next time.