Samantha Morton 'petrified' by stalker

British actress Samantha Morton has revealed she was "petrified" of a man who stalked her.

The 30-year-old Oscar nominee was forced to install security equipment in her home after Noel Watts harassed her with phone calls, letters and text messages.

Morton told Westminster magistrates that she first met Watts at a homeless shelter when she was 13. More than a decade later, Watts sent Morton a letter that made her "very frightened" because "this person was very angry with me for not being in contact".

Prosecutor Marc Robinson told the court at last week's hearing that Watts continued to send Morton messages.

"The subject of the texts, although not directly threatening, were very emotional and tended towards the suggestion that Mr Watts was in love with Miss Morton," Robinson said. "Something which is not borne out by the facts, is certainly not reciprocated and not brought on by any of her actions."