A mum-of-two was stalked by an "obsessed" work colleague who created "disturbing" fantasies about her.
The victim, who the ECHO has chosen not to name, was in a happy relationship with her partner of 15 years.
But "delusional" Kaisaar Mahmood accused her of "sexually harassing him" and "leading him on", despite the fact she had no romantic interest in him whatsoever.
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The 44-year-old involved other colleagues in his frightening "obsession", falsely telling them the woman was being abused by her boyfriend and that she was going blind.
Liverpool Crown Court heard the victim first met the chemical engineer, of Fenham Drive, Penketh, Warrington, when they worked for the same company in 2016.
Christopher Hopkins, prosecuting, said: "She does not appear to have been very impressed with the defendant - she found his behaviour odd, but put it down to him perhaps being socially awkward.
"She left the company in January 2018. In her leaving card, the defendant had written 'I will miss your beautiful presence'."
Mahmood later text the woman about her new job and she "politely" asked how he was.
He replied: "A bit low. As to be expected. Your departure has been a shock."
Mr Hopkins said at the woman's leaving do that February, Mahmood tried to put his arm around her, but a friend pushed him away. Later that night he sent a message asking if she would like to meet up.
The following month, he texted: "I think I love you. But not in an obsessive manner. I was in denial. I was thinking this doesn't happen to me. I guess you had that effect on me… If you're not interested, that's fine. I'll move on."
She replied: "I'm sorry I don't feel the same, I am in a relationship. Please stop messaging me."
However, Mahmood responded: "That's strange... I don't understand your behaviour. I thought you liked me. I think you're off your head to be honest and you're angry with me."
The victim blocked his number, but the messages continued.
In September 2019, he claimed he had nearly got into a fight over "haters" gossiping about her.
In another text, he said: "U are beautiful and there are women that are jealous of you so ignore, I was angry. You sexually harassing me didn't help."
That December he told her: "I really want to clear the air this Christmas. I miss u x."
In January 2020, he again claimed people were talking about her.
The next month he apologised, then said: "If you need to talk or anything don't hesitate to pick up the phone... I just hope u are safe and not being controlled."
In September 2020 he accused her of "guilt trips" and said: "I will forget you led me on."
She reported him to the police that October, after he sent two texts, one suggesting: "Girls been talking about you."
Mr Hopkins said Mahmood involved the victim's friends "in his apparent fantasy".
One woman said after the victim left the company, Mahmood became "moody and withdrawn", and she was so concerned about his mental health she spoke to her manager, before Mahmood's contract was terminated.
She later joined the same firm the victim had moved to, only for Mahmood to turn up in May 2019, ask for her by name, and ask how the victim was.
Another colleague blocked "strange" Mahmood in 2020 after receiving texts including one accusing the victim of "having fun with him".
In one text, Mahmood said: "I'm quite experienced with Caucasian women and I tell myself there not the same... not all keep secrets, lead u on.
"A Greek student said to me Kaiser u should keep away from British women, they don't care about u.
"I thought she were stereotyping. I didn't know she were psychic and just protecting me. She also said that is a female u will meet in ur future and u need to take her away from her boyfriend, as he will kill her."
Mahmood then mentioned the victim by name.
Mr Hopkins said Mahmood wrote a "disturbing" letter about the victim to another female colleague in April 2021.
He said: "The defendant appears to have created a totally false narrative of some kind of relationship with the complainant. It is delusional."
Another female colleague recalled Mahmood told her he thought the victim "licked her lips" during his job interview.
Mr Hopkins said Mahmood also sent this woman "disturbing" texts about the victim.
In one message he said: "Her ex was abusing her. In Warrington they are saying that she is blind and cannot see properly."
Fighting back tears, the victim told the court Mahmood changed the way she lived her life.
The mum installed home CCTV out of fear, worried for the safety of her family, and suffered nightmares.
She said: "I won't go anywhere on my own with my children anymore, because I am so worried."
The stalker cried in the dock, as the victim said: "He's taken so much from me."
Mahmood, who admitted stalking between May 2019 and March 2021, has two previous convictions for harassment, in 2005 and 2010.
Mr Hopkins said both involved a woman who was "somebody the defendant perceived as a partner".
Damian Nolan, defending, said a psychiatric report identified Mahmood had Asperger's syndrome - previously undiagnosed - which "probably explains why he behaves the way he does".
Mr Nolan said: "He's woefully inadequate in terms of assessing the appropriateness of social relationships with adult females."
He said in some respects the university graduate was an "achiever" and he had an offer of a job as as site chemist.
But he said: "Clearly this side of him is of great concern to the court and the distress he's caused speaks for itself."
Mr Nolan urged the judge to spare Mahmood jail, so work could be done in the community to reduce his risk.
Recorder David O'Mahony told Mahmood his victim never indicated that she was "available for a relationship".
The judge said: "Having considered the effect this has had on your victim, and her lifestyle and her family, and the feeling of imprisonment that she has felt, it seems to me the only appropriate sentence would be one of immediate custody."
He jailed Mahmood for 13 months and made an indefinite restraining order.
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