Hong Kong man found guilty of manslaughter for killing girlfriend, 2 children
Iu Wai-cheung, who slashed his partner more than 100 times, is acquitted of murder but judge says sentence will not be ‘a year or two’
A Hong Kong construction worker has been found guilty of manslaughter for killing his girlfriend and her two children, after a court acquitted him of the more serious crime of murder.
But a High Court judge on Thursday warned Iu Wai-cheung, who slashed the mother more than 100 times, that his sentence would not be “just a year or two”. The defendant gave his lawyer a “thumbs up” as the hearing ended.
Seven jurors acquitted the 65-year-old of three counts of murder, instead finding him guilty of the lesser offence of manslaughter after concluding the attack on July 12, 2021, was provoked by an argument with his 42-year-old girlfriend Wen Jufang.
Mrs Justice Judianna Wai-ling Barnes asked the defence and prosecution to look at precedents for manslaughter ahead of sentencing, which will take place following the defendant’s mitigation submission on November 12.
The judge added that although the defendant had been acquitted of murder, his actions had led to the deaths of three people and the resulting sentence would not be “just a year or two”.
“I have great discretion as to what kind of sentence is imposed,” Barnes said.
The court heard that Iu told police he was furious after Wen kept calling him “old and broke” and said he was lucky to be with “someone 20 years younger”.
