Hiding Age and Marital Status, Dating a Woman 23 Years Younger
Sent 25 Text Messages After Breakup Notice
Violation of Stalking Punishment Act... Fined 5 Million Won
A man in his 50s who deceived a woman in her 20s about his actual age and marital status and was dating her was sentenced to a fine after stalking her when their relationship ended upon the truth being revealed.
According to the legal community on the 9th, Judge Kim Dohyung, Chief Judge of Criminal Division 1 at the Wonju Branch of Chuncheon District Court, sentenced Mr. A, a man in his 50s indicted for violating the Act on the Punishment of Stalking Crimes, to a fine of 5 million won. He was also ordered to complete a 40-hour stalking crime recidivism prevention program.
Mr. A dated Ms. B, a woman in her 20s, while hiding his age and marital status. He told Ms. B that he was 23 years younger than his actual age. One day, when Ms. B learned the entire truth and told him to "stop contacting me" and ended the relationship, Mr. A ignored this and contacted her multiple times. From December 30 of last year to February 12 of this year, over two months, he repeatedly sent 25 text messages such as "I will stop emotional exhaustion," and "I tried, so what are you?" He is accused of stalking her. The indictment stated that Ms. B experienced extreme anxiety and fear due to Mr. A’s stalking.
Chief Judge Kim stated, “The mental damage suffered by the victim due to the defendant’s actions appears to be considerable, and the victim has petitioned for a severe punishment. However, considering that there are no prior convictions of the same kind or any convictions exceeding a fine, the sentence was determined accordingly.” The fine imposed was higher than the 3 million won fine requested by the prosecutor, and since neither the defendant nor the prosecutor appealed, the first trial ruling became final.
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