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Eddie Lee

Emily Tsang

A jobless father who killed his autistic son by slashing the 15-year-old boy about 100 times pleaded guilty to manslaughter at the High Court on Wednesday.
Choy Sin-hung, 61, claimed he was getting old and feared that after his death, no one could take care of the boy. Choy also intended to kill himself, the court heard.
The tragedy reflected a lack of support given to families of those who suffer from mental health issues in Hong Kong, said an expert.
“Those suffering from serious conditions such as autism might have quite disruptive social behaviours that can cause a lot of pressure to their caregivers,” psychiatrist Dr Ivan Mak Wing-chit, said.
“Since they have difficulties in social interaction, it might seem like they have a lack of appreciation towards their caregivers, creating more tension and stress.”
He added: “[Caregivers] can feel really lonely or helpless.”
Mak said it is more difficult to care for autistic patients when they become teenagers as their moods may fluctuate, resulting in violent behaviour.
While autism is now more understood, Mak said there is still a lack of resources or support provided to caregivers to help ease the burden.
Deadly blaze raises questions about mental health support in Hong Kong, as police explore arson and murder theories
In the court yesterday, the father, Choy denied the charge of murder that he originally faced.
High Court judge Madam Justice Maggie Poon Man-kay will pass sentence on August 11, pending psychological reports of the defendant.
The court earlier heard that Choy had two sons.
On June 27, 2014, Choy attacked his eldest son Choy On-yu, 15, at their Yuen Long home while his mother was working in Shenzhen. The father then reported the case to police.
Choy’s other son was not home when the violence took place.
Police on the scene found two blood-stained knives, which were used by Choy to slash his autistic son.
An autopsy report said there were some 100 external injuries to the boy, many of them slash wounds.
The father told police that he attacked his son while the boy was asleep.
Choy claimed he was getting old and feared that after his death, the autistic boy would not be taken care of.
A note written by Choy was found in the living room of his home. It read that Choy had intended to end his own life, and was taking the boy with him.
“It’s extremely tough for the whole family. If he’s gone, the whole family would have peace,” Choy wrote in the note.
“I don’t have a better option,” he added.
But Poon said even parents had no right to take away their children’s lives.


Man, 61, kills autistic teenage son because he felt burden was ‘tough for the whole family’

The father felt he was getting old and feared that after his death, his autistic son would be a burden on the family. Photo: SCMP Pictures

News

Hong Kong

Law and Crime

The tragedy reflects a lack of support for the families of those who suffer from mental health issues in Hong Kong
