A doctor who bombarded a married surgeon at a hospital in St John’s Wood with 400 love letters and cards before accusing him of harassment has been given a suspended sentence.

Podiatrist Anuradha Megpara, 53, became fixated with her former colleague Dr Darryll Baker and sent him hand-delivered messages about their supposed marriage, her wedding dress and their future home

City of London Magistrates’ Court heard Dr Baker, a vascular expert at the private Wellington Hospital, initially ignored the cards but became worried Megpara’s obsession could affect his professional integrity.

He went to the police after Megpara tried to take out a non-molestation order against him in early 2015.

Megpara was given an official harassment warning in June last year and stopped sending messages for around four weeks.

But she sent another 30 cards and letters before being charged with harassment in September last year, eventually pleading guilty as her trial was due to begin last month after Dr Baker and his secretary attended to give evidence.

Megpara was given a six-week suspended sentence and handed a restraining order barring her from contact with Mr Baker.

She is also banned from entering the Wellington or Royal Free Hospital.

Prosecutor Felicity Lineham described the obsessive letters and harassment which caused Dr Baker to fear for his career.

She said: “One of the letters which caused the most concern was one where she blamed his mother for her ‘dominance’ of him.”

Dr Baker wrote a victim impact statement explaining that some of the cards referred to their supposed relationship and her wedding dress.

Chris Stevens, defending, said Megpara was depressed following the death of her father and claimed she built an ‘alternate reality’ as a coping mechanism.

Megpara from Camden, must also pay £620 prosecution costs and an £80 victim surcharge.