AN assistant bank examiner who was found not guilty by reason of insanity of intending to wound his superior with a chopper was ordered by the District Court to be admitted to a psychiatric unit for 16 days.
On September 9, Cheng Ming, 40, denied wounding bank examiner Koo Man-wah on October 9, last year, at the Bank of Communications in Central with intent to cause her grievous bodily harm.
The District Court heard Cheng was suffering a relapse of a depressive illness. He had been detained in Siu Lam psychiatric centre for the past two months. His counsel Peter Ip had submitted that the judge could specify the period of detention and he asked for the shortest possible period.
Judge Chua said since Cheng was in full remission, he posed no danger to the public. But the judge also commented that the Attorney-General could file a notice of appeal if he wanted the matter argued further.
Ms Koo was working with Cheng on October 9 when she suffered two blows to the head. She turned around and saw him chopping her. She received 10 to 20 chop wounds to her head and hands.
The court heard Cheng was under pressure at work and that he had bought the chopper intending to kill himself.
