Student jailed for spying on his gay roommate

A FORMER student at New Jersey’s Rutgers University student was sentenced yesterday to 30 days in prison for bias crimes after he spied on his roommate’s gay encounter in a case that drew national attention to bullying.

Dharun Ravi, 20, had faced a maximum of ten years behind bars for his conviction for using a webcam to invade the privacy of his roommate, Tyler Clementi, and another man in their college dorm room.

Mr Clementi, 18, took his own life in September 2010, days after learning that Ravi had watched him through the computer-mounted camera and used social media to encourage others to do so. Ravi was not charged with causing Mr Clementi’s death.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Judge Glenn Berman sentenced Ravi to 30 days in prison, followed by three years’ probation and 300 hours of community service, as well as counselling about cyberbullying and alternative lifestyles.

He ordered Ravi to pay $10,000 to an organisation that assists victims of bias crimes and to pay $1,900 in penalties.