Ruth Tagg sent Dodd's partner a dead rat though the post

A judge renewed an interim hospital order imposed on Ruth Tagg to last until 31 July.

Winchester Crown Court heard that the condition of the 35-year-old from St John's Crescent, Bedminster, Bristol, had deteriorated since she admitted arson and harassment in March at Preston Crown Court.

That court was told that Tagg sent the Liverpool comic letters, cards and indecent photographs which were opened by his long-term partner Anne Jones.

Burning rags

She also sent Ms Jones - who she regarded as a love rival - a dead rat and T-shirts with offensive messages.

Tagg sent the items between July 2001 and May 2002 - during which time she also went to the comedian's shows and sat in prominent positions.

Then, in October 2001, she pushed burning rags through the letterbox of Mr Dodd's home in Knotty Ash, Liverpool, causing damage which cost �11,000 to repair.

Nobody was in the house at the time.

Tagg will remain at Llanarth Court Hospital, south Wales, for psychiatric assessment.