A Taiwanese woman, Yang Jinping, has been sentenced to 11 years and two months in prison after being convicted of the attempted murder of Australian exchange student Alex Shorey. The case involved allegations that Shorey was repeatedly poisoned while studying in Taiwan in 2023.
Alex Shorey, a Queensland student, was completing a Chinese language exchange program at Tamkang University in Taipei when he became seriously ill. During his time in Taiwan, he developed severe health problems and was hospitalised multiple times before being medically evacuated back to Australia.
According to prosecutors, Yang Jinping had been in a relationship with Shorey and allegedly used superwarfarin, a type of rat poison, to poison him after he expressed a desire to return to Australia. Prosecutors argued that the poisoning was intended to prevent him from leaving Taiwan.
The court heard that Shorey suffered serious medical complications and was at risk of life-threatening bleeding. His condition required extensive medical treatment and support from his family, who travelled to Taiwan after becoming concerned about his health.
Shorey's family discovered evidence that raised concerns about possible poisoning, including an empty bottle of rat poison found in his accommodation. Authorities later investigated the case, leading to Yang being charged with attempted murder in 2024.
Yang maintained her innocence during the legal proceedings, but the Taipei District Court found her guilty. The court delivered an 11-year and two-month prison sentence, with reports indicating that the decision may be subject to appeal.
The case attracted significant attention in Australia because of Shorey's age, his status as an international student, and the severity of his medical condition. A community fundraising campaign helped support the cost of his medical evacuation from Taiwan back to Australia.
After returning home, Shorey continued his recovery with support from his family and medical professionals. His case highlighted the challenges faced by international students overseas and the importance of family support during unexpected medical emergencies.
The sentencing has brought a major development in a case that began with a student's sudden illness and later became a criminal investigation spanning two countries. The outcome provides a legal resolution for the attempted murder charge while also drawing attention to the safety concerns faced by people studying abroad.
