THE family of a North Yorkshire pilot locked up after finding massacred bodies in Africa have been stunned by “sick” letters suggesting he deserves to “rot in jail” because of his hunting connections.

David Simpson, 24, from Gillamoor, near Kirkbymoorside, has been imprisoned in the Central African Republic since he was arrested almost two months ago after coming across 18 mutilated corpses in remote bush.

The attack is believed to have been carried out by the Lord’s Resistance Army, which has committed numerous atrocities in the area.

But two anonymous letters sent to Mr Simpson’s family, apparently from animal rights campaigners, have suggested he deserves to die in jail because he works as a hunter and pilot for a safari company. One of the letters read: “Loved reading today of your son’s arrest in CAR. I hope he rots in jail and then is hacked to pieces, taking money from rich, arrogant *** to kill wild animals for their pleasure.”

The writer went on to say they hoped not too much of their taxes would be spent on consular assistance for Mr Simpson.

The letter has prompted furious comments on the Facebook page “David Simpson British pilot imprisoned in Central Africa.”

One person said: “How sick is this! Please take no notice of this disgusting letter. Whoever wrote this must have a very sad life. Good luck with getting David home.”

Another said: “The letter mentions ‘respect people’ but the letter seriously lacks any respect for a person in plight.”

Mr Simpson’s sister Helen, 17, said two such letters had been received, posted from Sheffield and Lancashire, and they had been reported to police.

She said her mother had burst into tears when she opened one of the letters.

She said her brother phoned home regularly and was fine – other than boredom – and the family was confident he would be released, but simply did not know when.

North Yorkshire Police confirmed that the letters had been reported, and said they had been collected by an officer.