Mother handed hospital order after serving spiked milktea and knifing daughter in the neck
Local | 1 Feb 2024 3:01 pm
File photo.A 46-year-old mother was handed a one-year hospital order after she was convicted of attempted murder for she served her daughter spiked milktea and knifed her in the neck.
The defendant Yeung Fong-chu was earlier found guilty of attempted murder by a High Court jury by a 5:2 vote. She was also convicted of a count of administering a stupefying drug to commit indictable offense.
The charges alleged Yeung of spiking the milktea she served to husband Henry and daughter Natalie with lorazepam in their home at Laguna City in Lam Tin on April 13, 2021, and attempting to murder Natalie the next day.
The court earlier heard that Yeung heard voices in her head that someone would kidnap and rape her daughter who was 19 at the time. She worried she wouldn’t be able to protect her daughter and decided to serve her husband and daughter with spiked milktea.
After the duo fell unconscious, Yeung then knifed Natalie in the neck and wounded her hands and forearms. Husband Henry sustained injuries to his elbows too.
Yeung was arrested in her sister’s home the next day.
In sentencing, judge Judianna Barnes said this case was a tragedy and noted Yeung’s good characteristics and clean record. Barnes was also sure that Yeung would definitely not commit the crime if she had not suffered from mental illness.
Yeung was trying to rescue her daughter as she believed Natalie faced imminent danger. Her liability therefore reduced by a great extent given her mentality at the time, Barnes also said.
Barnes referred to two psychiatrist reports that Yeung was calmed and at ease after learning of her convictions. The reports also pointed out that Yeung still suffers from severe depression and psychosis.
Barnes suggested Yeung continue to be treated and concluded that the court shouldn’t imprison her. The judge then handed a 12-month hospital order and wished Yeung a speedy recovery.
The defense earlier said in mitigation that the husband and daughter had refused to testify in court after moving to the UK and even opposed to further proceed the prosecution. They also wrote to Yeung and said they hope their family will reunion in the future.
