A woman claiming to be a Roman Catholic nun was today convicted of sending hoax anthrax packages to senior politicians including Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg.

Sister Ruth Augustus, 71, posted six envelopes containing white powder to high profile figures. Other targets were former Attorney General Baroness Scotland, human rights lawyer Baroness Kennedy and MP Edward Leigh.

An envelope intercepted at a mail screening centre was addressed to Mr Clegg and on the envelope was written "devil worshipping", "freemason", "sex with 30 plus women" and "your poor Catholic wife and children".

Another was to Baroness Scotland, and had a swastika on it and two crosses, and "stop this evil devil worshipping".

One to Baroness Kennedy said "stop these evil devil worshipping freemasons". An analysis of the contents of the packages revealed the substance to be non-hazardous.

Harrow Crown Court heard that when Augustus, of Stratford, east London, who denied the charges, was arrested she told police "I look like a terrorist, don't I, working for a charity all over the world, with orphans?"

Mr Justice Saunders deferred the case until September for a hearing at the Old Bailey while a medical report is prepared on Augustus's mental health.