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Mentally ill man admits guilt in stabbing spree

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A mentally ill man stabbed neighbours, a security guard and management staff in his public housing estate - killing two people - after 'the Housing Department denied his application for a flat transfer', a Court of First Instance judge was told.

Li Chung-man, 43, was originally charged with murder and attempted murder.

But he pleaded guilty yesterday to the alternative charges of two counts of manslaughter and three counts of wounding with intent.

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The stabbing spree on May 8 last year has raised controversy in the community over whether mental patients should be evicted and separated from other residents.

Mrs Justice Verina Bokhary adjourned sentencing to September 1 pending two psychiatric reports.

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Prosecutor Peter Callaghan told the court yesterday the stabbing spree happened at 11am, when two residents of Kwai Shing Estate, Tam Yuet-shun and Lau Yun-lin, were sitting on the staircase between the sixth and seventh floors of the public flats. The pair did not know Li but had been scolded by him about a month before for speaking too loudly.

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