POLICE have arrested a 68-year-old man after a woman was bombarded with sinister letters for six years.

Images of handwriting were released earlier this week by police in hopes that someone would recognise the scrawl of the man, who signs his name 'Gordon'.

The hand-scrawled notes have been increasingly graphic, with 'Gordon' referring to himself as "your long time secret admirer who has now become your stalker".

And Avon and Somerset Police have now said they arrested a man from east Somerset yesterday in connection with their investigation into harassment.

The police force says they interviewed the man, and have subsequently released him under investigation while their enquiries continue.

'Gordon's' sinister messages, sent to a woman in her 40s from Bristol, are typically contained within cute animal cards, including cards produced by the RSPB.

One chilling message, sent on Valentine's Day, read: “Lots of love and kisses on Valentine’s Day to my sexy little [name removed].

"From your long time secret admirer who has now become your stalker."
And another read: "I hope to be with you very soon. Lots of love and kisses from your stalker and your rapist!!"

The messages, as well as the back of the envelopes, are typically signed off with five 'x's - a large, central X surrounded by four of the same letter in lowercase.

The envelopes are marked with a Bristol postmark and are thought to have been sent in or around the city.

Handwriting experts have been trawling over the cards in a bid to identify a pattern, and the National Crime Agency are also investigating.
Lead officer DC Patrick Prescott said: "We’ve been working with a criminal profiler at the National Crime Agency to examine and risk-assess the offender’s behaviour and are continuing to progress numerous lines of enquiry.

"Thorough analysis of the communications has been carried out and the possibility the offender has sent, or is sending cards or letters with similar content to other people cannot be excluded.

"The content is becoming increasingly sexually explicit and aggressive in nature and includes threats to commit rape and stalking offences.

"If you have been receiving similar correspondence then we want to hear from you.

"You may recognise one or more of the characteristics but can’t believe the person you have in mind would commit offences like this.

"It could be a colleague, friend or even a family member. We’d ask you to please report any concerns or suspicions to help us make this stop."