David Walliams' stalker sectioned

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A woman who harassed Little Britain star David Walliams over a four-year period has been sectioned under the Mental Health Act.

Sarah Bartholomew, 29, from Essex, admitted to sending the comedian a stream of letters, e-mails and gifts.

In one letter she told Walliams: "I have to have you at any cost."

Bartholomew was also issued with a restraining order at Highbury Corner Magistrates' Court banning her from contacting the 36-year-old star.

District Judge Adrian Turner described Bartholomew as a "sad but not bad case" and told her she would remain at a psychiatric hospital until doctors decided she posed no threat to herself or anyone else.

He said: "I am quite sure that a medical order is the appropriate action."

Bartholomew had sent more than 1,000 pages of emails and letters to Walliams' agent and solicitor, many in rhyming verse, which were signed with her name and address.

She first became obsessed with Walliams after meeting him at a question and answer session in 2004.

'Deadly serious'

The former veterinary nurse then spent thousands of pounds following the comedian as he toured around the UK.

Walliams made a complaint to police in April and she was arrested but did not give up her campaign.

One text she sent to Walliams' agent stated that she wanted to touch the comedian's "perfect bare flesh."

She added: "I want David more than anything and the knowledge that no one else will ever touch him again.

"There are two obvious ways to ensure that. I am deadly serious and David should do some reading."

Her gifts included a toy donkey, a Doctor Who book about Daleks and a set of Are You being Served? DVDs.

The judge said that Bartholomew's actions had been "delusional".