NTU researcher stalked PhD student she developed feelings for and sent him 116 emails, gets fine

SINGAPORE: A scientist at Nanyang Technological University (NTU) had thoughts for a PhD student who was assisting her venture.

Despite the gentleman being given a security order against her, she continued to send him 116 letters and was stalking him.

The person also made an appointment with the man’s office in Fusionopolis and requested a visit.

Han Xiaobing, a 34-year-old Chinese national, was fined S$ 8, 000 ( US$ 6, 124 ) by a court on Wednesday ( Aug 21 ) for her actions.

She admitted guilt to two counts of unlawful chasing and violating a security order under the Protection from Harassment Act, with a second count being taken into account.

The court heard that the victim, a 29-year-old Foreign nationwide, got to know Han while he was obtaining a PhD degree at NTU. A software developer and scientist, he assisted Han on a study job.

Han began having private feelings for the victim, which he rebuffed.

The target blocked all electrical communications from Han after the victim started to dislike the idea of Han sending him lengthy messages and consistently expressing her feelings for him.

Han, however, continued to try to touch him, and the sufferer was eventually granted a security attempt against him in accordance with the Protection from Harassment Act on October 25, 2023.

Han was prohibited from stalking the prey by any means, from communicating with him or trying to do so. Additionally, Han was prohibited from loitering or entering any location close to the murderer’s place of employment.

Between Oct 25, 2023 and Dec 12, 2023, Han sent 116 letters to the murderer’s NTU email accounts. In them, she demanded to see him and talk to him in people.

She went to the murderer’s place of employment on December 7, 2023, and asked the hall counter staff if she could see him. Nevertheless, he was not there.

Five days later, Han asked the sufferer to see her again.

Later that evening, the victim reported to the police, alleging Han had broken the security order’s terms and that she had “extremely stressed” him.

About a week later, Han admitted to stalking the prey and was questioned by the police. She made a promise to abide by the security order’s terms and end all communications with him.

Nevertheless, she made another visit to the target on January 3rd of this year when he was conducting research in a school lab at NTU.

Han came into his business and saw him through the windows. The target reported her appearance to Han and left his office to inform him that he would be calling the police.

Han then abruptly left the target without speaking to her.

SENTENCING Proposals

The prosecutors sought a great of S$ 7, 500 for Han, saying her steps affected the victim physically. The regularity of her trolling was also great, he said.

Han was no represented. She requested mercy and told the jury through an interpreter that she had been without work for a year and eight months as a result of this event.

The target, according to the prosecutor, had attempted to obtain a protection order, but Han continued to her actions.

For unlawful chasing, she could have been jailed for up to 12 months, fined up to S$ 5, 000, or both.

For contravening a protection order, she could have been jailed for up to six months, fined up to S$ 5, 000, or both.