A man in his thirties became so obsessed with a 13-year-old girl he plagued her home with nuisance phone calls, unwanted letters and gifts, a Court heard.

James Edmundson even left roses in the garden and was found sitting on the doorstep of the family home, Bradford Crown Court was told yesterday.

Edmundson, now 33, of Wyke, has launched an appeal against his conviction for harassing the teenager and her family. He was found guilty on two charges of harassment by Bradford magistrates last year.

The girl's father told the court how he was left shaking and shivering when Edmundson called at the family's home.

He also told Edmundson, of Wedgemoor Close, he should never phone, come to their house or contact his 13-year-old daughter again, the court heard.

"He was mumbling something about God or religion. I couldn't make sense of what he was saying at that time," he told a judge and two magistrates.

Edmundson claimed he only sent some items by way of an apology.

Prosecutor Giles Bridge claimed that Edmundson had become obsessed with the youngster, who cannot be named for legal reasons, and the father told how he felt powerless to protect his family.

The harassment charges, which cover two separate periods between October 2001 and August 2002, allege Edmundson made nuisance telephone calls, sent unwanted letters and gifts, and also visited the 13-year-old's home in Bradford.

Mr Bridge told the court: "The prosecution say the harassment initially focused upon her and then came to involve the other members the family. He then became obsessed with her and made her the object of his attentions."

The court heard that on two occasions Edmundson was given formal warnings by a police officer, but in February last year he sent her a Valentine's Day card and a CD.

The card carried the message "to the most beautiful girl in the world from ?" and the CD included tracks entitled 'Closer Than Friends', and 'Shower Me With Your Love'.

"She was still 13 years old. For a 31-year-old man to send such a card... I was shaking," admitted her father.

The court was told about letters and gifts allegedly sent by Edmundson and Mr Bridge asked the father how the incidents had affected the family.

"I can't find the words to describe it," he replied. "I feel that I'm not protecting my daughter or my family as much as I should do. I perceive myself to be a failure because a stranger is harassing my daughter and I can't stop it from happening. It's a sad situation and I wouldn't wish it on anybody."

Edmundson was finally arrested and questioned in March last year and although he accepted sending some of the items by way of an apology he also claimed he had been threatened.

Despite being charged and bailed Edmundson is said to have been involved in further incidents, including putting roses in the family's garden and sitting on their doorstep in the early hours.

When he was arrested again in August he made no reply during his police interview.

The appeal hearing continues.