A CHILLING insight into the mind of the killer of three-year-old Rosie Palmer has been laid bare in letters obtained by The Northern Echo.

Murderer Shaun Armstrong was jailed for life at Leeds Crown Court in 1995 after he confessed to killing Rosie at his home in Hartlepool, Cleveland.

On Wednesday, The Northern Echo revealed how Armstrong is suing the man who helped put him behind bars.

Author Bernard O'Mahoney extracted a confession from him in letters he wrote over an 11-month period.

Mr O'Mahoney wrote to him pretending to be a woman and struck up a relationship. He is now being sued for breach of confidence and the profits of any book that may be written.

In the letters seen by The Northern Echo, Armstrong denies raping the youngster and says people only believe he did it because of the "wonderful people in the media".

He writes that he should not have been told to plead guilty, and should have admitted manslaughter instead.

But he goes on to say he knows Rosie's mother, Beverley, is "a victim" and that it is her he feels sorry for.

Each of the letters are affectionately signed off as Anthony, the killer's middle name.

The letters are just two of 80 he sent to Mr O'Mahoney, believing he was writing to a woman called Laurna Jane Stevens, during his time in Wakefield Prison in late 1996 and 1997.

Armstrong is using taxpayers' money to sue Mr O'Mahoney for up to £15,000 damages, claiming the author breached his confidence and obtained the letters by deception.

He says he has violated his right to respect for his private and family life, and does not want to see them used in a book O'Mahoney is planning to write.

Armstrong's legal bid has been met with outrage from senior politicians and the Hartlepool community who have called for Home Secretary David Blunkett to intervene.

Hartlepool councillor and former member of the Rosie Palmer Foundation, Kevin Kelly, said: "By 2004/5 he could be out and he'll only be 42. These letters are full of denial but no remorse. They appear to be very cold and matter-of-fact."

Mr O'Mahoney, 41, of Peterborough, says he cannot afford to fight the case as he does not qualify for public funding.

He is appealing for any solicitors to take up his case or provide him with valuable legal advice in the run-up to the court hearing.

"If he is successful this could have serious implications for undercover officers, customs officers and even journalists who pose as other people to gain convictions," said Mr O'Mahoney