A man from the UK who followed a US travel influencer to Bali and later made threatening remarks about kidnapping her due to his “grandiose delusions” has been given a hospital order. Rob Keating, aged 40, inundated American photographer and former lawyer 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 two counts of stalking with violent intent, was diagnosed by psychiatrist Daron Aslanyan as having a delusional disorder characterized by grandiose beliefs about altering the world, which influenced his criminal behavior. The court heard that Keating, lacking self-awareness of his mental condition, sought a companion who aligned with his distorted worldview of changing the world through media or other means.
Judge Michael Bowes KC stated that imposing a hospital order with restrictions was essential for Keating’s mental health treatment, as he might reject such help in a prison setting due to his denial of the diagnosis. The judge emphasized the need to safeguard the public, especially Alexandra Saper, from any potential harm in the future.
The prosecution revealed that Keating began following Ms. Saper, known for her TheWayfaress Instagram account with over 100,000 followers, in June 2022 before sending her a peculiar and unsettling message, leading to him being blocked. Despite this, he persistently bombarded her with emails and videos, some of which contained explicit and threatening content, prompting fear and distress in the victim.
Ms. Saper’s statement to the court detailed the severe impact of Keating’s actions on her mental well-being, forcing her to flee her home and Bali due to panic attacks and emotional distress. She expressed how his relentless pursuit, escalating threats, and disturbing behavior shattered her sense of security and disrupted her business and personal life.
The court proceedings shed light on the profound psychological and emotional trauma inflicted on Ms. Saper by Keating’s obsessive and menacing conduct, underscoring the importance of addressing and preventing such harmful behaviors in society.