Chinese woman holds estate agent at knifepoint for three hours in row over sales contract

A woman in southern China held an estate agent at knifepoint for three hours in a row over a property contract, according to a newspaper report.

The woman had paid 110,000 yuan (HK$140,000) for an apartment in Zhuhai, but was angry because the size given in the contract was not what she had previously been told, the Southern Metropolis News reported.

She went to the estate agent on Tuesday to try to change the contract or get a refund, but was told by a woman member of staff and the firm’s lawyers that the agreement was in order.

After the lawyers left, the woman grabbed the estate agent and forced a paper knife to her neck.

“You have to help me resolve this problem today, otherwise you can’t walk out,” the woman was reported as saying.

Police were called and found three women in the room with the suspect still holding a knife to the estate agent’s throat, the report said. Police tried to enter, but were not allowed in.