A woman in her 40s who sent threatening text messages to an elementary school student and followed the child to school — all over virtual game items she claimed belonged to her son — has been fined by a court.
Judge Jeon Myeong-hwan of the Daegu District Court's Criminal Division 11 announced Wednesday that the woman, identified only as A, was fined 1.5 million won ($1,130) after being convicted of violating the Child Welfare Act.
According to the court, A's fifth-grade son told her in August last year that a classmate, an 11-year-old boy identified as B, had stolen items from him while playing Roblox. A then sent B 10 threatening text messages from her home in Chilgok-gun, North Gyeongsang Province, on Aug. 13 last year.
In the messages, A threatened to come to B's school once summer vacation ended and to show up at B's home, investigators found.
A also went through with part of the threat: on Aug. 21 last year, A went to the elementary school both boys attended and shouted at B in front of the main gate for about five minutes, demanding the return of the items.
At trial, A argued the actions did not constitute emotional abuse, but the court found A had caused the child to feel anxiety and fear.
"It is highly likely that the defendant approached the victim in a tone and manner that would have flustered the child or drawn the attention of those nearby," Judge Jeon said in explaining the sentence. "The conduct at the school was objectively capable of causing the victim shame or anxiety."
betterj@heraldcorp.com
