IT started as a one-off date while on holiday in Italy eight years ago but romance failed to blossom and the relationship petered out once the woman was back home in Scotland.

Her suitor Geo Guidi failed to take the hint and started pestering the woman, bombarding her with hundreds of letters, emails and phone calls, which turned abusive when she ignored him.

He ultimately tracked her down to her workplace and has now been jailed for 12 months for causing her fear and alarm for his conduct, which included squeezing into a revolving door beside her.

Guidi, 34, from Italy, also emailed the woman's father in 2012, and was found in possession of hundreds of cards with her father's email address, hundreds of typed notes, hundreds of cards and a gift box and ring. Some of the cards read: "Do you wanna marry me? (Tick box Yes/No).

After his arrest Guidi pled guilty to engaging in conduct which caused the woman, now 29, fear and alarm between January 1, 2011, and July 29 this year.

Sheriff Michael O'Grady QC was told by Guidi's defence solicitor, Kim Schofield, that a psychiatric assessment concluded that he was not mentally ill, but was suffering from "erotomania" and infatuated with the woman.

Fiscal Depute, Alison Innes, told the court on Guidi's previous appearance, that the woman and Guidi had gone out on a date on a single occasion when she was on holiday in Italy eight years ago and had exchanged a small number of text messages for about six months. There had been no romance, she added.

Two years later, Guidi began to text her again and sent emails, including abusive messages.

He declared his love for her and when she did not reply, she received abusive messages, making her feel pestered and uneasy. She felt that he would get the message and ceased contact.

There were further emails but on July 29 this year, Guidi turned up at the woman's workplace. She told reception to tell him she would not be available all day.

He asked if she would be available the next day and was told "No". The Fiscal said the woman panicked and contacted the police arranging to meet them at home later.

Leaving the building for a break, the woman felt physically sick and shaken, said the Fiscal. "She heard someone shout her name. Immediately she recognised Guidi, despite not having seen him for years, panicked and walked quickly away."

Guidi followed her into a restaurant shouting her name. The woman escaped through the kitchen and made her way back to her office. As she entered the revolving doors, Guidi squeezed in beside her. She was terrified and the receptionist told Guidi to leave. Ms Innes said: "She entered the lift and burst into tears due to the extremely distressing circumstances". She called the police and they found Guidi outside.

Miss Schofield told Sheriff O'Grady that Guidi had advised her that he accepted the woman did not want to have a relationship with him. "He says that is clear because he had put 'Yes' and 'No' on the cards and if she had ticked 'No' he would have stopped".

The solicitor added, however, that she had reservations about Guidi's promise not to pursue a relationship with her as he had mentioned it was his intention to change his name.

Jailing him and placing him on a non-harassment order for six years at Edinburgh Sheriff Court, Sheriff O'Grady told Guidi: "This has been a very unpleasant experience for the woman."

"I have to do two things - punish you and afford what protection I can to the lady".