A MAN who wrote to residents of a Taunton street claiming the body of a schoolgirl was buried there has promised not to send any more letters.

Paul Date has long claimed Genette Tate, who went missing in 1978 and is presumed dead, is buried in the garden of a home in Wedlands, Taunton.

But he caused upset when he posted letters to a number of people living on the estate in Priorswood pinpointing the actual garden he believes holds her body.

Following complaints, Mr Date, who is 53 today, was arrested and charged with conveying a message that was grossly offensive for the purpose of causing distress or anxiety.

The case against him was dismissed by Taunton magistrates on Tuesday.

After the hearing, Mr Date, who is currently in Fromeside mental health unit, in Stapleton, Bristol, said: "Two witnesses had claimed they were shocked and distressed by the letter.

"But it wasn't written to upset any member of the public and I won't be writing any more letters to people."

Police say there is no truth in Mr Date's claims.

Genette, who was born in Taunton and attended Priorswood Primary School when she lived in Wedlands, disappeared during her paper round in a country lane at Aylesbeare, Devon.

Her body has never been found, but police are convinced she was murdered by serial killer Robert Black, who served 12 life sentences for killing four young girls in the 1980s.

Black, who died in prison last year, always denied he killed Genette.