A "DEEPLY OBSESSED" Blackburn man continued to make life hell for his former wife even from his prison cell by sending her a Christmas card post-marked HM Prison Preston.

And today his ex-partner pleaded for some respite from 12 months of torment at the hands of a man who "just won't let go."

"Even from inside he has managed to force his way back into my life," said Vanessa Kealey, who thought she would be left in peace after Blackburn magistrates made a restraining order against David Kealey, 34, in April last year and then jailed him for four months at the beginning of December for breaching the order.

"Instead of getting better things have got worse," said Vanessa, 28, who is trying to re-establish life for herself and her two children with her new partner.

"When he is not in prison he turns up at the house or outside school and now it seems the prison walls are not thick enough to protect me."

Kealey, 34, appeared in court and pleaded guilty to two breaches of the restraining order, the eighth and ninth breaches since it was made, by sending a letter and a Christmas card which both landed on Vanessa's doormat stamped HM Prison Preston.

"We thought with him locked up for four months we would have a peaceful Christmas but I should have known better," said Vanessa.

"As soon as I saw the post marks I knew who they were from and it made me feel sick. I am beginning to think it will never end and my worry is that I don't know what he is going to do next or how far he will go.

"He is so besotted I fear he is capable of anything and I fear what he might do to make me and the children his again," she said.

Clare Fanning, prosecuting, told the court the governor of the prison had been made aware of what had happened and all Kealey's mail was now being screened.

"It would appear that even when he is serving a prison sentence for breaching the restraining order he thinks nothing of acting in direct contravention of the terms of the order by contacting his ex-wife," said Miss Fanning.

Liz Parker, defending, said Kealey and his wife had lived together for seven years and initially their separation and divorce had been amicable.

"He still has a strong, deep love for her and he says that all he wants to do is explain his feelings to her," said Mrs Parker.

"He doesn't mean to hurt anyone but he is devoted to this lady and can't get it into his head that the relationship is over."

A previous psychiatric report had found that Kealey had no mental health problems but Vanessa said she thinks differently. "He's lost his marbles and doesn't seem to have any grip on reality," she said.

"He refuses to acknowledge that I have a new partner, it is as if he doesn't exist. For my sake, for my partner's sake and for my children's sake I hope something can be done to stop this torment. I dread the next knock on the door."

Remanding Kealey in custody for the preparation of further psychiatric and pre-sentence reports the magistrates said they were "seriously concerned" for the safety of his ex-wife and children.

"You seem deeply obsessed and unable to stop yourself and we have very real fears as to what the outcome of this obsession might be," added the chairman.