A POPULAR BBC weather presenter was forced off air after a pervert bombarded her with sexual videos, a court heard.

Alexis Green had to take time off from presenting on BBC South Today after being harassed by Timothy O'Brien.

She was unable to sleep after he spammed her with 115 messages, videos and photos via Facebook.

Prosecuting, Bethany Adams said that the 55-year-old asked his victim if she wanted to see intimate photos of him. 

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And, that he told her “if you don’t block me I will accept that as a yes” and repeatedly asked her for sex, adding that she should be on the news more often.

Ms Green blocked O’Brien, of Athlestan Road, Christchurch, but he continued to message her between December and January this year.

In her victim personal statement, Ms Green said she has been struggling to sleep after receiving more than 30 videos from the defendant.

She told Southampton Magistrates' Court on Wednesday: “I find all this very concerning and worrying because I don’t know if he is going to take it a step further.

“It has led me to having time off work to try and come to terms with what is happening.

“This whole situation has made me feel less confident in every aspect of my life.

“I can’t remember experiencing such a dark time. It is all because of one man’s actions and obsession.

“I even questioned whether my job is worth feeling this anxiety. I shouldn’t have to feel that way about a job I really love.

“He will re-offend because he is mentally unstable.”

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Avionics engineer, O’Brien wept in the dock as he listened to the statement.

The court heard that he was arrested at home after Ms Green reported him to the police. 

 He pleaded not guilty to a charge of stalking but admitted harassment.

Defending, Mark Hendslay, told magistrates there was “no suggestion whatsoever that he had ever met Ms Green.

“They were only [for] a short period of time. Something has gone wrong for him to suddenly act in the way that he does.”

He added that the messages were sent when he was in drink.

O’Brien, who has been in custody since his arrest in January, was jailed for 17 weeks.

He has been given an indefinite restraining order banning him from contacting Ms Green or going to the BBC offices in Southampton.

Speaking after the hearing, DC Lydia Davies said: “O’Brien’s conduct over this period caused considerable distress to the victim.

“His behaviour was completely unacceptable and I hope this case assures people that we take harassment very seriously and we will take action.

“We urge anyone who has been a victim of stalking or harassment to report it to us. We understand it may be difficult, but we take these crimes seriously and victims will be supported throughout.

“We will continue to work hard through Hampshire’s Multi-Agency Stalking Clinic to ensure everything is being done to protect victims and stop this behaviour.”

To report an incident, call 101. In an emergency, always dial 999.

The National Stalking Helpline, run by the Suzy Lamplugh Trust, offers information and guidance to anybody in the UK who is or has previously been affected by harassment or stalking. You can contact their helpline on 0808 802 0300.