Hospital order for man who stalked Bali influencer

A British man found guilty of stalking a social media influencer after following her to Bali has been given an interim hospital order by a judge while he awaits sentencing.

Rob Keating, from Horsham, West Sussex, was convicted at Portsmouth Crown Court in May of stalking involving fear of violence.

Keating, 40, who previously lived in Havant, Hampshire, sent American influencer Alexandra Saper hundreds of emails and dozens of videos, including threats to kidnap and rape her.

Judge Michael Bowes KC imposed the order to allow for further psychiatric assessments.

Judge Bowes said he had adjourned sentencing “based on the reports of two forensic psychiatrists”.

“Each recommends an interim hospital order for further assessment,” he said.

“I received the appropriate written evidence that the offender is suffering from a mental disorder and it is appropriate the order is made and a bed is available today.

“I am going to make the order today for 12 weeks.”

A further hearing has been set on 13 February 2026.

Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary said Keating first contacted the travel influencer through Instagram in June 2022.

A force spokesman said the complainant reported receiving hundreds of emails and 30 videos from Keating during a six-month period.

He said: “In December 2022, she received an email from Keating in which he threatened to kidnap her and sent links to videos he had made, further threatening to kidnap and rape her.

“He also sent her a photo of a body in a suitcase, alongside videos of him threatening to do the same to her.

“Keating threatened to travel to Bali, Indonesia, where the woman lives, to kidnap her.

“After the woman’s friends saw Keating in person close to her address, the woman fled to a friend’s address and contacted local police, before later leaving the country, fearing for her safety.”

Keating, of Old Crawley Road, was arrested at Gatwick Airport on 6 March 2023 but contacted Ms Saper again more than a year later with screenshots of flights to Bali with the caption ‘Round Two’.

Keating was arrested again on 11 November 2024.

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