A 55-YEAR-OLD man has appeared at Bradford Crown Court charged with stalking a local radio presenter and threatening to have acid thrown in her face.

Mohammed Feroz, of Leeds Road, Thornbury, Bradford, was escorted into the dock from the cells yesterday after he was brought from prison. He was remanded in custody by magistrates at an earlier hearing.

He is accused of stalking, involving fear of violence, between March 11 and May 30, by causing Gail Sayles, news editor at Bradford-based Sunrise Radio, to fear on at least two occasions that violence would be used against her.

The charge states Feroz contacted the radio station and threatened Miss Sayles that she would be put in a wheelchair and, on another occasion, have acid thrown in her face.

Feroz was found to be unfit to plead and remanded back into custody.

Judge David Hatton QC said that three psychiatrists, instructed by both the Crown and the defence, agreed that the defendant was suffering from a mental disorder that meant he was unable to enter a plea to the charge or engage in the trial process.

Judge Hatton told the court: "All three psychiatrists have considered this matter very carefully and have spoken with the defendant. Their unanimous opinion is that he is suffering a disability and is currently unfit to enter a plea and to stand trial."

The ruling was under the Criminal Procedure (Insanity) Act 1964.

Feroz's barrister, Howard Shaw, said he would now be moved from prison to a hospital, under The Mental Health Act.

A trial will take place on November 5 when a jury will be sworn in to return a verdict on a finding of the facts basis. They will be required to determine whether or not Feroz committed the relevant acts.

Miss Sayles is alleged to have recognised Feroz's voice when he called the radio station, based in Leeds Road, Little Germany.

He is accused of telling her: "They will put you in a wheelchair," and "You are going to get it, an acid attack on your face."

Miss Sayles is expected to give evidence at the half-day hearing.

Bearded and bespectacled Feroz listened with his arms folded during the hearing before being taken back to the cells.