Ben Eveling, 47, breached security on the site to leave two stories, described by the counsel for the prosecution as "sad testaments to the loneliness, bitterness and insecurity of a very sad man". In the stories Eveling described himself as "creative director of The Room". In reality Eveling is an unemployed nasal hair removal technician who has lived rough in south London for several years. Representing The Room, editor Julian Patterson, said: "Eveling approached me some time ago looking for work. He described himself as a freelance journalist and programmer, but it was soon apparent that he didn't have a clue about what he was doing. He also smelt pretty bad, so I told him we couldn't employ him."

According to Patterson, Eveling pestered him for work at every opportunity and told friends he was at work when he was in fact receiving treatment as an out-patient at a psychiatric hospital.

"After we turned him down, Eveling developed the obsessive belief that we were out to get him and began a vendetta against me, which I suppose is why he has used his pathetic stories to run me down," Patterson told the court. Staff at the hospital refused to discuss the case but confirmed that Eveling was suffering from an illness of "a delusional nature". A hospital spokesman said: "He always arrived confused, he was convinced he was someone important and he smelt pretty bad, but he was a nice bloke."

The case continues.