Runaway died before family could see him

A runaway mental patient whose true identity remained unknown for weeks died before his family could see him, an inquest heard yesterday.

Cheung Cheung-shing, 50, who had been mentally ill for more than 20 years, gave a false name when he was arrested for stealing a loaf of bread.

He ran away from home in Hunghom on January 28 last year with no money and no identification documents, the jury was told.

His 80-year-old father and younger sister Cheung Ching-wah, 48, reported him missing to police.

Cheung was arrested for stealing the bread in Tsim Sha Tsui, but told officers his name was Wong Chung and he had sneaked into Hong Kong from the mainland.

He appeared at North Kowloon Court on February 2 under the name of Wong Chung, charged with theft and illegally entering Hong Kong. No plea was taken because the magistrate suspected he was mentally ill and ordered a psychiatric report. Cheung was believed to be called Wong Chung during his time in custody and in interviews with psychiatrists, Coroner Andrew Chan Hing-wai was told.