A terrified teaching assistant was harassed for EIGHT years by a former pupil who wanted to be her daughter.

Alison Skinner, 31, was bombarded with phone calls, emails and letters from disturbed Sarah Durling, who she met while working at Canterbury's Orchard School.

One letter read: "I've disowned my mum. I'd like you to be my mum now."

The 24-year-old even pretended her baby had died in its cot in a desperate attempt to speak to Miss Skinner.

The court heard the pair had met while Miss Skinner was working with pupils with learning difficulties at the Orchard School in Wincheap.

One of those pupils was Sarah Durling, a girl in Year 11 with Asperger's Syndrome.

Prosecuting, Julie Farbrace: "It seems she had some sort of affinity with Miss Skinner. She used to write messages on the board for her to read."

Within six months of Durling leaving the school, the harassment started.

She bombarded Miss Skinner with phone calls, emails and letters and continued to harass her when she left to work for Connexions in Canterbury.

Police warned Durling about her behaviour, but the calls continued until September last year when she made up an elaborate lie about a baby she never had.

Miss Farbrace said: "The defendant said her baby was blue in its cot and had died and only Miss Skinner could assist her.

"Miss Skinner was concerned there was actually a dead baby or that Durling may have harmed a baby in order to make contact with her."

A month later a man came into the reception of Miss Skinner's work asking her to come outside, saying: "I've got a surprise for you."

Durling was waiting outside.

Miss Skinner was described as "terrified and hysterical" and called police.

Durling was given a caution for harassment on October 8, but little more than a month later started to send letters and pictures to Miss Skinner at work.

These included photos of her cats and dogs and papier-mache models. She also sent a Christmas card.

She was arrested and when interviewed admitted sending the letters despite knowing it was unwelcome.

She wouldn't give any reason other than she wanted to "share her life" with Miss Skinner.

Sentencing was adjourned until March 3 for reports.