A 34-year-old researcher from Nanyang Technological University (NTU) has been fined S$8,000 after pleading guilty to stalking a PhD student who had rebuffed her advances.
Han Xiaobing, originally from China, faced two charges under the Protection from Harassment Act and has been given an eight-week jail term as an alternative to her fine on Aug 21.
Information about the man was concealed in the court records.
DETAILS OF THE CASE :
According to TODAY, the court learned that Han developed feelings for the 29-year-old student during their collaboration on a research project.
After the student rejected her advances, Han began sending him lengthy messages expressing her feelings. In February 2021, feeling uncomfortable with her persistent communications, he ultimately blocked all electronic contact.
Despite this, Han did not cease her pursuit.
Following a long period of unreciprocated interest, the victim took the step to obtain a protection order against Han on October 25, 2022. However, Han defied the order, sending a total of 116 emails over a brief span from October 25 to December 12, 2022, in which she demanded to see him and engage in face-to-face conversations.
The emails contained multiple requests for him to ‘see him and to talk to him in person’, the report added.
On December 7 and again on December 12 of the same year, Han made visits to his workplace, seeking to connect with him. Following her repeated violations of the protection order, the victim made a police report, citing the extreme stress caused by her actions.
Han was subsequently questioned by the police, where she admitted to stalking the victim and agreed to respect the conditions set by the protection order.
Yet, on January 3rd of this year, around 3 PM, Han went to see the victim at NTU. She entered his workplace with the intention of visiting his office to talk to him.
As she was nearing his office, she caught sight of him through the window. He noticed her, stepped out of the office, and informed her that he would be contacting the police. Han then left the university without exchanging any words with the victim.
According to Straits Times, the DPP requested a fine of $7,500 for Han, stating that her actions had an emotional impact on the victim.
“The frequency of the accused’s stalking was high,” he commented.
“Over the course of six weeks, the accused entered the victim’s workplace on two separate occasions and sent a total of 116 e-mails to the victim.”
In court, Han requested a lenient sentence, citing her financial difficulties and a protracted period of unemployment.
“I only have S$4,000 with me today. If the fine is more than S$4,000, I hope you will allow me to pay the remaining fine in instalments,” she said through an interpreter, according to TODAY.
District Judge Diana Haven approved her request, allowing her to pay the fine in installments of S$500 monthly after an initial payment of S$4,000.
If Han does not pay the specified amount, she will face eight weeks in jail. She appeared in court without legal representation and stated that she is currently unemployed.
Under the Protection from Harassment Act, violations of a protection order can lead to a maximum penalty of six months in jail or a fine of S$5,000. Unlawful stalking could incur a jail term of up to 12 months, a fine up to S$5,000, or both.
Image via google for illustration
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