DOVER, N.H. (AP) – A University of New Hampshire student got a temporary restraining order against another student who combined an image of her face with an explicit photo of another woman’s body, then posted the composite on his Facebook page.
A judge ordered Owen Sanborn, of Laconia, to stay at least 100 feet away from the woman and barred him from posting her “likeness or name on any Internet site,” pending a final hearing.
The woman’s lawyer, Bryan Gould, said the posting was the latest episode in a series. Social networking sites like Facebook can encourage stalking-type behavior, he said.
“It’s sort of a way for someone like this to sort of test the waters, and that’s what makes it dangerous,” Gould said.
Sanborn’s lawyer, Stephen Laurent, did not return messages seeking comment. A hearing on whether to grant a permanent restraining order has not been scheduled yet.
As part of the photo collage, Sanborn superimposed an image of himself giving a thumbs-up. The Facebook page also included explicit references to the female student, a freshman who lived in the same dorm.
The woman said in court papers that she discovered the posting April 30 and reported it to police. No charges have been filed.
The dorm director demanded Sanborn take down the image, and he did. Afterward he wrote an e-mail to the woman, apologizing and calling the posting “a harmless joke among friends.” He also referred to his love for her.
The woman said in court papers filed May 2 she had no romantic interest in Sanborn and that his Facebook posting made her afraid he might approach her or harm her.
Gould said the university held a disciplinary hearing for Sanborn. University spokeswoman Kim Billings declined to confirm that, saying disciplinary proceedings are confidential.
“On average, if the university perceives the behavior of a student to be a danger to the community, we do have the ability to interim suspend,” she said.
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