Updated: A VICTIM of an “obscene” poison pen campaign says the author of a series of letters to residents in Acomb “is not going to win”.

Over the past eight months, nine residents in Foxwood have received disturbing, sexually explicit letters referring to the woman, signed by someone calling themselves “John”.

A number of the depraved letters, which have been posted and hand delivered, have contained pubic hair, toenail clippings and tissues covered in excrement.

One of the letters was posted to a 75-year-old woman, an anxiety sufferer, who was said to be “terrified”, police said.

Another was taped to the outside of a living room window, and others have been taped to a bus shelter and a local road sign.

Police are now appealing for any information that may help them find the perpetrator, as they fear the behaviour could become more serious.

The 30-year-old Acomb woman, who has asked not to be named, said the letters had referred to her parents’ address.

She said: “It is a worry - the biggest one is what it might escalate into. This kind of thing does not happen to my family – my parents are straitlaced and very law-abiding people and it’s really worried them.

“The author of the letters is not going to win. At the end of the day they will be found out.

“This person is very ill in the head. I do not think they should be in society, they should be locked up.”

The letters are described as delusional, often suggesting the writer is in a relationship with the woman, police said.

Police are to deliver leaflets to every home in the area with a sample of the distinctive handwriting to appeal for more information.

PC Vicky Fickling, of the York Safer Neighbourhood Team, said: “All we want is to get it stopped before it get worse.

“Whoever this is seems to be getting a kick out of writing these letters. What comes after the letters? What’s the next step up the ladder?

“I believe that someone living locally must know who is responsible for sending these letters and ask that they report them so that we can stop this wholly unwarranted harassment.

“I also ask that local residents take some time to look at the handwriting and to contact the police if they recognise it. Even if it does not belong to someone called John, as the sender may be using a false name.”

Police are appealing to anyone who may have had a similar letter, who may recognise the writing or who may have useful information to phone PC Vicky Fickling or PCSO Richard Tempest on 0845 6060 247, quoting reference number 12110034086, or they can phone Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.