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SCMP Reporter

A ROW over the use of a toilet led to a cageman being stabbed to death with a knife being embedded in his neck, the High Court heard yesterday.

  Yam Kwok-tai, 56, a caretaker, admits killing Tung Chik-lam, 53, on March 11 this year. He denies murder.

  Tung was found lying in a pool of blood in the Kowloon cagehouse where he and his attacker lived, a jury was told.

  Prosecutor Peter Chapman said the 25-centimetre knife was thrust into Tung's neck and emerged from between his shoulder blades.

   It was still there when police arrived on the scene.

  Mr Chapman said a dispute arose when Yam went into a toilet at the house in Mei King Street and found Tung using it. The two men swore at each other.

  The altercation developed into a fight in which Tung picked up a wooden stool and struck Yam on the forehead, causing him to bleed.

  Tung threatened to chop Yam, the court heard.

  Other residents intervened and broke up the fight.

  Mr Chapman said Yam was fuming when he returned to his bed space.

  He took the knife from under his pillow, went into the corridor and attacked Tung from behind, knocking him to the floor.

   Tung got up and ran into the living room pursued by Yam.

  'It was the second wound which proved fatal. The knife was left embedded in the victim's neck,' Mr Chapman said.

  Yam became scared and fled the premises. He looked for a passing policeman but could not find one.

  He took a taxi to a nearby police station and gave himself up. He was found to have suffered a cut to the palm of his hand and was taken to hospital for treatment.

  When interviewed later, Yam said he was angry after the initial scuffle.

  He kept the knife under his pillow to use in the preparation of food, he said.

  The jury members were told they must be objective when considering the evidence.

  They were shown pictures of the victim's body at the scene of the killing and in the mortuary. The pictures showed the knife still embedded in Tung's neck and included close-ups of his wounds.

  Mr Chapman said the case was sad but had to be considered without sympathy or prejudice.

  The trial before Mr Justice Ryan continues today. The jury is expected to visit the scene of the killing.



Toilet tantrum led to cageman's fatal stabbing