A man from the UK who harassed an American travel influencer in Bali and later made threats of kidnapping while experiencing delusions of grandeur has been given a hospital order. Rob Keating, aged 40, inundated US photographer Alexandra Saper with emails and videos that escalated in intensity and turned sexually explicit, aggressive, and offensive, according to court testimonies.
Keating, convicted at Portsmouth Crown Court of stalking charges involving fear of violence, was diagnosed by psychiatrist Daron Aslanyan with a delusional disorder marked by grandiose beliefs about changing the world, influencing his criminal behavior. The court heard that Keating, lacking self-awareness of his mental condition, was fixated on finding someone who shared his worldview of altering the world through social media or similar means.
Judge Michael Bowes KC emphasized the necessity of a hospital order with a restriction to ensure Keating receives treatment for his mental disorder, crucial for public protection, particularly Alexandra Saper. Keating’s relentless pursuit of Saper, with over 100,000 followers on her Instagram account, caused her significant distress, leading to her relocation due to safety concerns.
Despite being apprehended upon his return to Gatwick airport, Keating persisted in contacting Saper, culminating in a subsequent arrest. Saper’s victim impact statement detailed the severe impact on her mental health and livelihood, prompting her to abandon her home and business due to escalating fear and panic induced by Keating’s actions.
Saper’s social media platform, initially aimed at empowering women to travel independently, was marred by Keating’s unwelcome intrusion, causing profound distress and disruption to her life. Ignoring his advances only fueled Keating’s obsession and aggression, culminating in alarming threats that deeply affected Saper’s well-being and forced her into seclusion.
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