AN author being sued by child killer Shaun Armstrong claims he could lose his case because of delays by the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS).

Bernard O'Mahoney says he needs copies of the letters paedophile Armstrong sent to him in order to defend himself in a forthcoming court case.

The author extracted a confession from the sadistic killer of three-year-old Rosie Palmer, of Hartlepool, by pretending to be a woman and striking up a relationship with him over an 11-month period.

Armstrong is now suing him for £15,000 for breach of confidence and the profits of any book which may be written. The killer's solicitor has also said his client wants the letters back.

But while Armstrong is getting legal aid to fund his High Court bid, Mr O'Mahoney cannot afford to hire a solicitor.

He handed the letters in to the police as soon as the killer confessed. He says he now needs the letters, which are in the hands of the CPS, to compile his defence.

But a spokesman for the service said it was still considering his request.

Mr O'Mahoney, 41, of Peterborough, said: "I can't form a defence without those letters, it's madness. I didn't keep the letters because they were of no benefit to me but they are my property because they were sent to me.

The author says he only wants copies of the letters, not the originals. The 80 letters were sent to Mr O'Mahoney, who claimed he was Laurna Jane Stevens, during Armstrong's time in Wakefield Prison in late 1996 and 1997.

Armstrong's legal bid has been met with outrage from senior politicians and the Hartlepool community where the child died.

A spokesman for the CPS said: "We said we would consider his request and it is still under consideration."