Hong Kong man jailed for slashing wife’s wrist, hacking her head with cleaver
- Yiu Shung-ching sentenced to five years and four months in prison for a vicious attack that left the mother of his children permanently disabled, mentally scarred
- Victim was told ‘you must die’ during kitchen knife and cleaver ordeal in Sha Tin flat
A Hong Kong man who told his wife “you must die” as he slashed her wrist and took a cleaver to her head in a vicious attack that left her fearful of knives and for their daughters’ safety was jailed on Wednesday for five years and four months.
Insurance agent Yiu Shung-ching, 41, pleaded guilty last month to wounding with intent, an offence punishable by life imprisonment, after attacking his 42-year-old wife, Leung Wing-sze, in their Sha Tin flat on May 11, 2018.
The High Court heard Leung was permanently disabled from Yiu’s bone-deep cuts with a kitchen knife to her left wrist, and was diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder and depression in the aftermath.
Vicious attack left wife unconscious, covered in blood, court hears
She recalled in her impact assessment Yiu’s history of violent assaults, and recounted an incident when a stranger approach her on the street with a gift for her daughter from Yiu that left her wondering how he had tracked them down.
The report said Leung lived in fear for the safety of her and her daughters, and that she blamed herself for bringing trouble to her family.
She became afraid of household objects such as knives and withdrew herself socially while she struggled to cope with scars, pain and difficulty sleeping.
Psychiatrists and doctors have prescribed seven types of medication and painkillers, and recommended long-term treatment and physiotherapy.
Photographs taken last month showed Leung had scars on her face, ear, neck, shoulder and head.
Defence counsel Newman Wong Hing-wai said his client was a gentle person who committed the offence because he was intoxicated and angry at his wife for allegedly returning to drugs.
She was a new mum. That’s when the physical abuse started
But Mr Justice Joseph Yau Chi-lap refused to accept that Yiu’s offence was influenced by his voluntary alcohol consumption and found the defendant knew what he was doing when he launched a vicious attack on his defenceless wife.
“The defendant's momentary impulsion brought long-term pain to the victim and thoroughly shattered his family,” Yau said. “The impact on their daughters' future will be far-reaching.”
The pair have two daughters, eight and 10.
She begged him not to kill her and asked to see their daughters, to which Yiu replied: “No need, you must die.”
Yiu also slashed his own wrist, telling his wife: “Don’t worry, after you die, I will also die. I have arranged.”
She was a new mum. That’s when the physical abuse started
But Yiu did not suffer serious injuries nor did he proceed with the so-called arrangements.
He called the police after his attack and reported an attempted suicide.
Officers arrived at the bloodstained flat and arrested him for wounding.
