A 33-year-old man who harassed a teenage girl and her family has lost an appeal against his conviction.

But James Edmundson is expected to be back on the street immediately after a judge and two magistrates yesterday cut a month off the three-month jail term he was originally given.

Recorder John Muir and his colleagues were told that Edmundson, of Wedgemoor Close, Wyke, had already served five weeks of that sentence before being released on bail pending his appeal.

Bradford Crown Court heard evidence from the 13-year-old's father about how he felt sick when Edmundson telephoned their home and asked to take his daughter for a walk in the woods.

He also sent gifts and letters to the family, including a Valentine's Day card for the girl which carried the message: "To the most beautiful girl in the world from ?"

Edmundson, who had no previous convictions for anything similar, was convicted in October by the magistrates on two charges of harassment.

In addition to the jail term, the magistrates made Edmundson the subject of an indefinite restraining order to stay away from the girl - who cannot be identified for legal reasons - and her family.

Edmundson did not give evidence during his two-day appeal hearing. But his barrister Richard Wright pointed out that his conduct followed on from an incident when the girl's mother told him he could leave a satin heart cushion and a rose for the teenager on the fence at their home.

Mr Wright said Edmundson had the impression the mother did not object to him having contact with the girl. But Recorder Muir noted that incidents continued even after the father had expressed his "forthright" view and Edmundson had been warned twice by a police officer.

The judge said the offences appeared to be motivated by "irrational and unreasonable" intentions, but accepted that there was no physical assault or verbal abuse involved.

He told Edmundson they were reducing the sentence because they believed he had learned his lesson and would not have any further contact with the family.