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Village 'poison pen' drops legal bid

12/01/2002

The Manfield poison pen letter writer has abandoned his latest efforts to have his conviction overturned.

Having had one application for leave to appeal rejected by a senior judge, Dr James Forster lodged a second bid with the Royal Courts of Justice, which he hoped would be heard by three judges.

However, The Northern Echo can reveal that Forster, who was jailed for his 12-year terror campaign, has withdrawn his application.

A letter was received on Wednesday from Forster's solicitors, the court said.

Forster served two months of a four-month jail sentence, imposed by Teesside Crown Court in October, following a trial earlier in the year.

The jury convicted the 68-year-old retired Open University lecturer of sending a barrage of more than 200 obscene and threatening letters, and terrorising a woman, as well as incitement to burgle.

Forster finished his sentence in December and has returned to his homes, Kirk Lea and Four Oaks, in the quiet North Yorkshire village, which came under an intense media spotlight during the trial.

His renewed application was lodged almost immediately after the original bid was rejected, news of which broke on the day of his release.

When The Northern Echo called at Kirk Lea yesterday, Forster declined to comment on his decision.

The court ordered Forster to pay �3,000 prosecution costs, and his own legal bill is expected to top �10,000.

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