RUIXUE ZHANG STALKING PROFESSOR IN DUNDEE: COURT SENTENCE AND BAN

Ruixue Zhang, a 29-year-old student enrolled at St Andrews University in Dundee, has been found guilty of engaging in a prolonged campaign of stalking against Professor Thomas Kelsey. The court proceedings revealed that Zhang’s obsessive behavior persisted over an eight-month period, during which she repeatedly ignored clear boundaries and refused to accept rejection.

According to court reports, Zhang demonstrated an unwavering determination to contact Professor Kelsey, despite his clear disinterest. She made numerous uninvited visits to his workplace, attempting to establish communication through various means. Notably, she even tried to bribe him with gifts, including a portrait she personally drew, in an effort to gain his favor or attention. Her actions demonstrated a troubling pattern of harassment that caused significant distress to the professor.

In a polite email, Zhang admitted that her conduct had caused annoyance and acknowledged that her actions might be illegal. Nevertheless, she continued her persistent pursuit of contact, which spanned from March 1 to October 25 of the previous year. Her behavior was characterized by her refusal to accept no as an answer, and her refusal to cease her efforts despite repeated rejections.

During the court hearing, Zhang’s solicitor, Billy Watt, requested that her conviction be replaced with an absolute discharge. He argued that a criminal record could severely impact her future prospects, particularly in China, where her reputation and immigration status could be jeopardized. Watt emphasized that a conviction might also hinder her employment opportunities and future academic pursuits.

However, Sheriff Neil Kinnear rejected this plea, emphasizing the seriousness of Zhang’s persistent harassment. He imposed a fine of £300 on Zhang and issued a two-year ban preventing her from making any contact with Professor Kelsey. The court highlighted that her relentless behavior caused considerable emotional distress to her victim and disrupted his professional and personal life, even though there was no physical threat involved.

Zhang, who had previously excelled academically in mathematics in China and completed a master’s degree, faced rejection when applying for a PhD at St Andrews. Following this rejection, she repeatedly sought to contact Professor Kelsey uninvited, which ultimately led to her conviction. Her actions instilled fear and alarm in the professor, underscoring the severity of her conduct and the court’s concern over her continued harassment.