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SCMP Reporter

An expatriate activist known for pulling high-profile political stunts was jailed yesterday for what a magistrate termed a 'nasty' campaign to defame his former girlfriend outside the international school where she taught.

Matt Pearce, 32, was given an immediate 42-week term after being convicted of 15 charges including two of criminal intimidation, 12 of loitering causing concern and one of making a false report.

Pearce, who earlier received a suspended sentence for perching atop a giant video screen in Central dressed as Spiderman, pleaded not guilty.

Magistrate William Lam Kiu-po said Pearce had set out in a 'calculated, premeditated, nasty and persistent' manner to destroy the reputation of Chinese International School teacher Jennifer Hollier.

The court heard that Pearce accused Ms Hollier  of cheating behind his back with two other men.

He then staged a dozen protests outside the school gate, spread over 41/2 months, up to three times a week and lasting 45 minutes, demanding that she apologise. Dressed in Spiderman and Santa Claus outfits, he displayed placards and gave out leaflets declaring 'Educate your teacher', 'Group sex is wrong' and 'Casual sex is morally wrong'. He also passed out condoms.

The court heard Pearce also wrote threatening letters to Ms Hollier and her headmistress. In one letter he wrote: 'Once the protests start they will continue once a week during the school semester until you have apologised and there has been justice between us. Once you have apologised you are free to go ... You chose the one person in Hong Kong that you shouldn't have mistreated.'

Mr Lam said: 'The case leaves a nasty taste in the mouth. The defendant was being calculated, premeditated, nasty and persistent and aimed to intimidate and engineer to destroy the image and reputation of Jennifer Hollier. And he succeeded because she has resigned from the school.'

Mr Lam said Pearce had shown no remorse when he claimed in mitigation that he had been trying to help the teacher.  Earlier in the trial, Ms Hollier said she terminated  a 'platonic friendship' because of his 'unpredictable, unstable and volatile behaviour' a year after they went out for a few dates.



Jilted activist jailed for 'nasty' campaign