Sandra Price sent a series of offensive and intrusive letters to the star of Judge John Deed and The Professionals, and even boasted in court that she was an "itch he could not get rid of – no matter how hard he scratched".

The 66-year-old self-confessed "crackpot" who is originally from Settle, North Yorkshire, became fixated with Shaw after watching an episode of Judge John Deed, and even moved to Shaw's home town of Hingham, Norfolk.

She could now face jail after being found guilty of harassing Shaw, 63, and his partner, Karen da Silva, between January 2003 and July 2008.

King's Lynn Magistrates' Court heard that Price regularly sat in her car parked outside Shaw's 17th century home in Hingham and often walked past.

In July last year Price took her campaign a step further when she poured petrol through the letterbox of Ms da Silva's home in the same town.

District Judge Tim Daber ruled it was part of a prolonged campaign of harassment.

"I'm quite satisfied that this was a part of a sustained course of conduct and not part of an isolated incident," said Judge Daber.

At the end of the two-day hearing, Shaw spoke of his relief at the outcome.

He said: "I am happy it's over. I thought it was conducted fairly and diligently on both sides.

"I think justice was done. I hope that this ends now and Mrs Price finds some peace."

The court heard Price sent a series of letters to Shaw following the break-up of his marriage offering to "heal" him.

She also delivered a 45-minute audio tape to the actor's home and left a 120-page dossier detailing his career and her views on his doorstep.

In court, Shaw described Price as "unbalanced" and added: "She sounded unhinged."

After initially writing to Shaw from her home in Settle, Price then moved to Hingham in August 2006.

The court heard Price was seen hiding in a ditch close to Shaw's property in spring last year and also confronted him at a nearby airfield he had visited.

Judge Daber said: "Mrs Price must have known, or ought to have known, that her conduct caused Mr Shaw and Ms da Silva harassment".

Price admitted criminal damage following an incident in which Ms da Silva woke to find petrol in her hallway. Price told the court she became angry after Ms da Silva had described her as Shaw's "stalker".

Judge Daber warned Price, who will be sentenced later this month, that she may go to prison.