A mainland single mother who burned charcoal in her locked flat with her 10-year-old daughter inside was placed on 18 months' probation yesterday.
Yu Ganglian, 41, was also ordered to attend psychological counselling and a course in parenting skills.
Deputy District Judge Johnny Chan Jong-herng said it was a serious case but he accepted it as an isolated incident. Yu, who pleaded guilty earlier to ill-treating or neglecting a child, was appearing for sentencing.
In mitigation, barrister Cheung Yiu-leung said Yu had been a caring and loving mother who maintained a close relationship with her daughter. There was a chance she will be reunited with the child after a reassessment in July by the Social Welfare Department, which has been caring for the girl since January under a Care and Protection Order.
The court heard earlier that police and firefighters went to the Sau Mau Ping flat last December 13 after receiving a report of an attempted suicide. Yu was persuaded to open the door, and charcoal was found burning in a frying pan.
She had earlier had an argument with her ex-boyfriend during which she threatened to jump out of the window if he did not visit her.