I’m being stalked by my crazy colleague

DEAR DEIDRE: HELP! I’m being stalked by a woman at work who has become obsessed with me.

I showed her a little kindness when she was down, but since then she won’t leave me alone.

She bombards me with texts and hangs around outside my flat waiting for me.

I am a 33-year-old woman and she is 40.

It all started when I found her crying in the lift. She told me she was having personal problems.

I bought her a cup of tea and, in hindsight, stupidly gave her my number.

After that, we started chatting and I even agreed to meet her once after work for a drink.

But I soon realised she has severe mental health problems, which I told her to see her GP about.

I’ve tried to back off gently but she clings on like a limpet.

She texts day and night. If I don’t reply, she rings, waking me and my boyfriend.

Last week I turned into my street to find her sitting on a bench waiting for me.

I’m starting to feel frightened. If I tell work, she’ll lose her job.

DEIDRE SAYS: Please block her and tell your company what’s going on.

You need support to deal with this and although it’s unlikely she’s dangerous, her obsessive behaviour is inappropriate and worrying.

The priority is she gets the medical or psychological support she needs.

Talk to the National Stalking Helpline (www.suzylamplugh.org, 0808 802 0300) for advice.