Court sentences man to 1 year, 6 months

A court. [Herald DB]
A court. [Herald DB]

A man in his 30s who beat his live-in girlfriend and then stalked her after she ended the relationship has been sentenced to prison.

Judge Lee Hyeon-gyeong of the Ulsan District Court's Criminal Division 6 sentenced the man, identified only as A, to one year and six months in prison on charges including aggravated assault and violations of the Act on Punishment of Stalking Crimes. The court also ordered him to complete a 40-hour stalking treatment program.

In July, A attacked his girlfriend, identified as B, at her home in Nam-gu, Ulsan, cursing at her and striking her multiple times after becoming angry during an argument. During the assault, he picked up a weapon and threatened her, saying, "I have nothing to lose."

Two days later, A again beat B with his palm and fist multiple times, demanding that she unlock a spare mobile phone she had previously used.

B sustained a fractured rib and other injuries requiring four weeks of medical treatment.

After the assaults, when B sent a message asking to break up, A stalked her by showing up at her workplace and sending her 17 messages.

"The victim appears to have experienced extreme fear as a result of the defendant's actions and continues to suffer physical and psychological distress, and has petitioned the court for a severe sentence," the court said in explaining its ruling. It added that the defendant's acknowledgment of wrongdoing and expression of remorse were considered as mitigating factors.


jshan@heraldcorp.com