A Hong Kong man was ordered to undergo indefinite psychiatric treatment after stabbing two women to death during a relapse of paranoid schizophrenia at a shopping centre in 2023. The High Court sentenced Szeto Sing-kwong, 43, a former warehouse worker, to mandatory supervision at Siu Lam Psychiatric Centre in Tuen Mun, citing his continued limited understanding of his mental condition.

Szeto pleaded guilty to two counts of manslaughter by reason of diminished responsibility, with prosecutors accepting that he was not criminally liable for murder due to an acute mental health episode at the time of the attack. The incident took place on June 2, 2023, at Plaza Hollywood in Diamond Hill, where Szeto purchased a 30cm sushi knife intending to replace one he previously owned. Upon buying the knife, Szeto reported experiencing strong discomfort and an urge to vent his emotions by confronting someone.

Around 5:10 p.m., outside a Sasa cosmetics store, Szeto encountered two women, 26-year-old Fong Hui-yong and 22-year-old Lau Kai-hei. Szeto claimed the women had mocked him, which made him feel upset and uncomfortable, provoking him to attack in an effort to “teach them a lesson.” Surveillance footage showed Szeto stabbing Fong repeatedly in the chest and abdomen for nearly a minute until she collapsed. Lau attempted to intervene but was also stabbed shortly after.

The assault ended when a 64-year-old chef, known only as Fai, intervened by striking Szeto with a stool taken from a nearby Chinese restaurant where he was on a meal break. Fai restrained Szeto until police arrived minutes later.

Medical examinations revealed Fong suffered 27 stab wounds, and Lau had eight, with both deaths attributed to blood loss and respiratory failure. Szeto had a documented history of psychosis, initially diagnosed in May 2020 following an incident involving his elder brother. He had since been treated as both an inpatient and outpatient and was deemed mentally stable just days before the attack.

Madam Justice Esther Tu acknowledged the tragedy and expressed sympathy for the victims’ families, stating, “It is unfortunate and tragic that both the deceased who were out on an innocent shopping expedition at a shopping mall should meet such a painful end to their young lives.” The judge also commended the chef’s actions for preventing further harm.

Defense counsel David Boyton concurred that no alternative sentence was appropriate, recognizing Szeto’s potential danger to society and the profound impact on the victims’ mothers. Fong’s mother expressed concern that psychiatric treatment might diminish her grief, which she described as a vital connection to her deceased daughter.

The court emphasized that Szeto had previously sought help for his mental health and lacked control over his violent actions during the episode. The sentence reflects the need for ongoing psychiatric care in managing the risk he poses.