A man from the UK who obsessively pursued a popular American travel influencer to Bali and later made threatening remarks about kidnapping her while experiencing “grandiose delusions” has been given a hospital order.
Rob Keating, aged 40, bombarded Alexandra Saper, a photographer and former lawyer from the US, with emails and videos that escalated in intensity and turned “sexual, aggressive, and offensive,” according to court testimony.
Keating, convicted at Portsmouth Crown Court of two stalking offenses related to causing fear of violence against the victim, was diagnosed by psychiatrist Daron Aslanyan with a delusional disorder characterized by grandiose beliefs about changing the world, which influenced his criminal behavior.
The court was told that Keating, lacking awareness of his mental condition, sought someone who aligned with his distorted worldview of altering the world’s course through social media or other means due to his isolation and inability to empathize with the victim.
Judge Michael Bowes KC emphasized the necessity of a hospital order coupled with a restriction order for Keating to undergo treatment for his mental disorder, a measure crucial for public protection and specifically for Alexandra Saper’s safety.
Prosecutor Alexandra Bull detailed Keating’s persistent harassment of Ms. Saper, including sending threatening messages, expressing love, and indicating a willingness to resort to extreme measures like kidnapping to be with her, causing her significant distress and prompting her to seek refuge elsewhere.
Despite being detained upon his return to Gatwick airport, Keating, previously residing in Havant, Hampshire, continued to harass Ms. Saper, leading to his re-arrest in November 2024 after sending her alarming messages hinting at further unwanted advances.
In her court statement, Ms. Saper described the severe impact of the ordeal on her mental health, business, and personal life, highlighting the trauma caused by Keating’s relentless pursuit that forced her to abandon her home and disrupt her online presence.
Ms. Saper, who initially aimed to empower women to travel independently through her social media platform, lamented how her aspirations were shattered by an online stranger who subjected her to a distressing ordeal of escalating harassment, explicit advances, and menacing threats, leaving her isolated and traumatized.