Prisoner stabbed five times in neck

A Stanley Prison inmate was stabbed five times in the neck by another prisoner armed with two daggers made of waste metal while they were being led to their cells yesterday.

Yeung Kin-man, 41, was admitted to Queen Mary Hospital in a critical condition.

Prison Chief Superintendent Leung Kam-yau has appointed a three-member board of inquiry to look into the case with an aim to review security. The case has also been referred to the police.

Mr Leung said security was very tight and included metal detectors.

He said the investigation would look into how the attacker concealed the two 15cm weapons and where he obtained them.

The attack happened at 12.40pm while the two inmates, along with 80 others in three groups, were being escorted by officers to their cells.

According to Mr Leung, the attacker suddenly charged at Yeung from behind and stabbed him. He was quickly subdued by prison officers.

Mr Leung said officers believed the cause of the attack was a personal grudge, although the two were not housed in the same cell or corridor.

Both prisoners are Category A, which means their prison terms exceed 12 years. There are 237 Category A inmates among the 1,896 prisoners at Stanley.

Yeung is serving 18 years for trafficking in dangerous drugs, while the 41-year-old attacker, an illegal immigrant, was jailed in 1992 for 25 years for shooting with intent and armed robbery.

A further five years and 10 months had been added to his sentence for breaking prison rules and bad behaviour.