A middle-aged mother stalked a Radio 2 traffic reporter after becoming convinced she was hearing subliminal messages over the airwaves.

Hilary Reeves plagued Sally Boazman with telephone calls and letters, once sending the blonde presenter lyrics from The Beatles' hit Help! on heart-shaped notepaper.

Reeves, from Crawley, went to Broadcasting House in London and waited in the car park to invite Miss Boazman to tea.

The presenter, who reads traffic reports on the Drivetime show with Steve Wright, called security staff.

Two months later Reeves, 53, turned up outside Miss Boazman's home in Surrey and was arrested as she waited outside the house in her car.

Reeves told the officers: "If I had known I was upsetting her I would not have done it.

"I would never do anything to hurt her. I am very, very fond of her. I could say I love her in every way."

Miss Boazman told a court hearing she began to fear for her safety.

She said: "When I saw her on the other side of the door I felt very threatened. I decided it was getting out of hand."

Susanna Bramley, prosecuting, told magistrates in Woking Reeves believed she had a special bond with Miss Boazman and was convinced she was sending her messages among the reports of roadworks and traffic jams.

On the day of the arrest, builders working at Miss Boazman's home spotted Reeves loitering outside.

Minutes later the presenter heard rustling at the front door as Reeves attempted to post another note.

David Smith, for Reeves, whose adult daughter sat in the court's public gallery, said she had not meant Miss Boazman any harm.

She did not want psychiatric counselling and a psychiatrist had not recommended any.

He said: "She is a very keen fan who has gone over the top."

Reeves, of Excalibur Close, Ifield, who denied harassment, was given a conditional discharge, banned from contacting the presenter, fined £50 for failing to attend a previous hearing and ordered to pay £150 prosecution costs.