Trial in Feldkirch

Accused stalked nurse for months

The defendant's "persistence" caused a nurse a lot of pain. The sense of guilt is manageable. (Bild: Chantall Dorn, Krone KREATIV)

A man from Lower Austria stalked a 35-year-old nurse for two months - and the woman is still suffering to this day. The trial was held on Thursday at the Feldkirch Regional Court.

If the accused's statements are to be believed, he only wanted to know whether the attractive woman was the same woman he had met at a concert 17 years ago but had lost sight of again. Anyone thinking of a romance is very much mistaken. In fact, the 59-year-old had been persistently pursuing the 35-year-old nurse for months last year. First, he sent her a few e-mails. When the woman did not respond, he showed up at the hospital where she worked several times a week, probably hoping to meet the attractive woman there.

The Unterlander refused to be put off
When this plan didn't work either, he called the porter and pretended to know the nurse privately. The Unterländer is then put through. After she finds a bouquet of flowers and a card from the man on her desk the next day, the woman finally talks to her admirer straight up. "I told him quite clearly that I was happily married and didn't want any more advances," said the victim.

But the accused persisted. He contacted the 35-year-old by phone again. This time, the woman's husband answers the phone and also speaks plainly. The couple finally press charges.

My life has been very restricted since then. I lock myself in the office. I haven't been out for a long time either. I now have a problem wearing my name badge.

Das Opfer vor Gericht

The nurse still suffers from the consequences of the whole story today. "My life has been very restricted since then. I lock myself in the office. I haven't been out to eat for a long time either. I now even have a problem wearing my name badge," the woman testifies in tears. 

The fine imposed by Judge Alexander Wehinger will not appear on the offender's criminal record.(Bild: Chantall Dorn)

There was a clear "No!" as a parting shot.
Even if the defendant is of the opinion that he did not persistently pursue the woman, the public prosecutor and judge see it differently. The non-final judgment: 720 euros fine, half suspended. There are also 200 euros in legal costs. At the end of the trial, the convicted man wants to know: "Were you the woman at the concert 17 years ago?" The answer: "No!"