A MAN with a grievance over a failed civil action sent threatening letters to a solicitor who had represented a health authority in the case.

On one occasion Roy Donovan made reference to a bomb being planted at her place of work.

A Preston Crown Court judge heard that the 63-year-old had a conviction for harassing a doctor in a similar campaign, accusing the man of perjury.

Donovan of Park Road, Waterfoot, pleaded guilty to putting a person in fear of violence by harassment.

He sent letters to the solicitor who had represented a health authority during civil proceedings in the 1990s.

In one message he said there was a timebomb in the building where she worked. The police were informed and a security check was made of Portland Tower, Manchester, but nothing found.

When arrested and interviewed, Donovan said the letter had been designed to provoke a response and was not a threat.

Zabeda Maqsood, defending, said Donovan had been advised some years ago to have all his teeth removed because of a medical problem. But the symptoms remained after the extraction. He felt a sense of grievance and started a medical negligence claim, which proved unsuccessful.

He addressed the issue by contacting the police, Crown Prosecution Service, General Medical Council and the Department of Health as well as writing to the Prime Minister.

Miss Maqsood said he did not intend to harm the solicitor. He had wanted the matter taken back to court and the truth, as he saw it, exposed.

Judge Brian Duckworth passed an eighteen months prison sentence, suspended for two years, with a two year supervision order attached.