Taiwan woman gets 11 years for trying to poison Australian ex-boyfriend with rat poison

An Australian exchange student in Taiwan, Alex Shorey, narrowly escaped death after being allegedly poisoned three times by a Taiwanese woman, Yang Jin-ping, with rat poison. Shorey, who had been studying in Taiwan, was hospitalized multiple times due to severe symptoms, including internal bleeding and nosebleeds.

“

The two of us were in an open relationship.

The prosecution alleges that Yang poisoned Shorey after he decided to return to Australia and end their relationship. She is accused of mixing liquid rat poison into his drinks, including grape juice, on March 24, 2023. Shorey experienced severe abdominal pain and uncontrollable nosebleeds the following day, leading to hospitalization. Medical professionals later identified the cause as a superwarfarin-type poison.

Despite Shorey's father arranging for him to return to Australia for treatment on April 16, Yang allegedly attempted to poison him again. She reportedly mixed rat poison and blood pressure medication into his food. Shorey's condition became critical, requiring intensive care. Yang allegedly interfered with his treatment by having his father sign a waiver refusing intensive care, though his father insisted, securing Shorey's admission to the ICU.

“

My son was very ill at the time, and she handed me a waiver refusing intensive care. I found it very strange.

As Shorey prepared to return to Australia again in May, Yang allegedly administered the poison a third time. Shorey's mother discovered empty rat poison containers at Yang's residence. After Shorey recovered, he returned to Australia, and Yang was subsequently indicted on charges of attempted murder, with prosecutors seeking a heavy sentence of over eight years.

“

I denied poisoning him. The prosecution is making up a story. I only wanted to help him, not hurt him.

During court proceedings in March, Shorey testified that he and Yang had an open relationship. His father recounted the incident with the waiver for intensive care, expressing confusion. Shorey's mother described finding the rat poison and potentially witnessing Yang administering poison to Shorey at the hospital. Yang denied the poisoning allegations in court, claiming she was only trying to help and that the rat poison was for her own use due to grief over her deceased husband.

“

I kept rat poison at home for myself because I missed my late husband. I dreamed he came to find me and invited me to 'meet him in warm water.'