A former researcher at Nanyang Technological University (NTU), Han Xiaobing, was fined S$8,000 (US$6,124) by a court on Wednesday, August 21, 2024, for stalking a PhD student who had helped her with a research project.
Han, a 34-year-old Chinese national, developed personal feelings for the 29-year-old PhD student in the Singaporean university, who rejected her advances.
Despite obtaining a protection order against her, Han continued to contact the victim, sending 116 emails and visiting his workplace.
After being blocked from electronic communication by the victim in February 2021, she persisted in trying to contact him.
The victim eventually secured a protection order on October 25, 2023, to prevent further harassment.
However, Han violated this order by continuing to send emails and making multiple attempts to see him in person.
Han pleaded guilty to charges under the Protection from Harassment Act, including unlawful stalking and contravening the protection order.
The prosecution highlighted the emotional toll her actions took on the victim and noted the high frequency of her stalking.
During sentencing, the judge acknowledged Han’s unemployment over the past year and eight months due to the incident but emphasized that her failure to adhere to the protection order warranted the fine.
Han could have faced up to 12 months in jail or a fine of S$5,000 for unlawful stalking, and an additional six months in jail or a similar fine for breaching the protection order.
NTU confirmed that Han’s employment ended in December 2022 and reiterated the university’s expectation that all employees maintain the highest standards of ethical and professional conduct.
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