You present a very substantial risk of serious personal injury, not only to Mr Beckham and his family, but also to the public at large

Judge Merfyn Hughes QC

The court heard how Obue, who has suffered paranoid schizophrenia for several years, walked into the communal hallway of the Beckhams' mansion block home and took a dozen letters.

She attempted to run away without paying the fare after taxi driver William Scott became suspicious, but she was apprehended by police.

Mr Hughes said the defendant may well have used the knife in any confrontation that may have taken place that night, either with the taxi driver or the footballer's family.

Nicholas Williams, prosecuting, told the court how Obue, formerly of Broughton Road, Edinburgh, ordered a taxi from a local firm on Saturday 30 June.

He said: "She was collected by a taxi driver, Mr William Scott, who confirmed the fare would be �440.

Private apartments

"The defendant agreed, saying a friend would pay when they got to Alderley Edge.

"They arrived around 1.45am - twice on the way the defendant asked the driver to stop at a cashpoint, but she never actually withdrew any money.

"The defendant then asked the driver to take her to a large house in Alderley Edge and gave the taxi driver the appropriate directions.

"They arrived at the property, which was divided into six private apartments, one of which was the home of the professional footballer, David Beckham.

"On instructions of the defendant, the taxi driver drove the vehicle up the drive and parked outside the property.

Petrol station

"The defendant got out of the taxi and was then seen to press buttons on a panel before entering into the communal hallway.

"She then removed some letters from one of the residents' post boxes and returned to the taxi.

"She told the taxi driver that her friend had asked her to collect the letters, but she didn't think he was in."

Mr Williams told how the taxi driver grew suspicious and drove to a nearby petrol station where he telephoned police.

Mental illness

Obue tried to run off, but he detained her until officers arrived on the scene.

"The police searched the defendant and found in her possession 13 pieces of mail addressed to either David Beckham or his wife," the prosecutor added.

On Monday, Obue, wearing a cream roll-neck sweater and black coat, stared straight ahead as Judge Merfyn Hughes QC, passed sentence.

He said: "It is clear that for the last few years you have suffered from a mental illness.

"You present a very substantial risk of serious personal injury, not only to Mr Beckham and his family, but also to the public at large.

"You should not be released into the community unless and until it is safe so to do."