S'porean admits to cyberstalking American singer for 6 years
On Tuesday, Dec 3, 2013, Colin Mak Yew Loong (above) pleaded guilty and was convicted for criminal intimidation, harassment, criminal trespass and theft. He admitted to sending 31 threatening e-mail messages to Ms Ramm, 29, and her boyfriend. -- ST FILE PHOTO: AZIZ HUSSIN
SINGAPORE: For six years, American singer Leandra Ramm was terrorised by a Singaporean cyberstalker who developed a deadly liking for her.
On Wednesday, 38-year-old Colin Mak Yew Loong admitted to 31 counts of criminal intimidation of Ms Ramm from 2005 to 2011.
Ms Ramm's nightmare started in 2005 when she was featured on CNN, and caught Mak's attention.
The two had never met but Mak contacted her, purporting to champion her music career.
Then the 29-year-old singer stopped responding, and Mak began sending death threats via emails and voice messages.
Besides harassing Ms Ramm, Mak also admitted to 11 other offences, including intentional harassment, criminal trespass and stealing biscuits from a kindergarten.
Of these, Mak had targeted two other foreign musicians for offences relating to harassment and criminal intimidation.
In both instances, he developed fixations on two women, aged 28 and 30.
The prosecution proceeded on 17 of the 42 charges.
In his submissions, prosecutor Alan Hu said this is an "aggravated case involving numerous charges".
He stressed that the offences were committed over a long period of time and asked for a global sentence of two to four years' jail.
When asked for his response, Mak told the court he deeply regrets his actions as he was "deeply troubled" and had lost control at that time.
For criminal intimidation, Mak can be jailed up to seven years and fined on each count.
He is expected to be sentenced on December 13. - CNA/gn
SINGAPORE: The Singaporean cyberstalker who developed an obsession with American singer Leandra Ramm was on Friday sentenced to three years' jail and fined S$5,000.
On December 4, 38-year-old Colin Mak Yew Loong admitted to 31 counts of criminal intimidation between 2005 and 2011.
Ms Ramm's nightmare began in 2005 after an appearance on CNN.
The mezzo-soprano caught the attention of Mak, who then posed as the director of a prestigious music festival and contacted her with offers to champion her music career.
When the 29-year-old singer stopped responding, Mak started sending death threats using emails and voice messages.
Besides Ms Ramm, Mak also developed fixations on another two women -- both foreigners and musicians -- from Hungary and Germany.
He harassed and intimidated the two, aged 28 and 30.
Mak also admitted to intimidating a Singaporean businesswoman, trespassing St James Church, and stealing biscuits from the church's kindergarten.
The prosecution proceeded on 17 of the 42 charges.
In sentencing, District Judge Mathew Joseph said it was "the most disturbing case of online harassment and cyberstalking involving criminal intimidation".
He said Mak has a "clear proclivity for online harassment and criminal intimidation" with a "sinister sophistication".
The judge noted that the medical report indicated Mak has a "probable anti-social personality disorder" and "probable narcissistic personality traits", but he said Mak's threats were vile, vicious and vulgar.
The judge said this is a case where there is clear and compelling public interest to deter those who seek to use the Internet as a weapon, instead of a tool of communication. - CNA/al
