Hong Kong teen admits acid attack on tourist
SCMP · 1 SOURCESabout 1 hour ago2 MIN
Summary
A 19-year-old defendant, Anson Kew, pleaded guilty in Hong Kong’s High Court on Thursday to throwing corrosive fluid with intent to cause grievous bodily harm against Singaporean tourist Jiang Wen. The court heard that Kew was 17 when he ambushed Jiang as she was getting into a vehicle in Wan Chai on June 9 last year, causing burns to her face and limbs. Medical evidence showed 10 to 11 per cent of her body surface was burned, and she later underwent emergency surgery, skin grafts and further suturing. Mr Justice Andrew Chan Hing-wai adjourned sentencing to October 29
Key Points
- The High Court heard that Anson Kew, now 19, admitted the offence after attacking 36-year-old Singaporean visitor Jiang Wen in Wan Chai on June 9 last year
- Prosecutors said Kew wore black clothing and a mask, then splashed corrosive liquid as Jiang was getting into a vehicle on Burrows Street
- Jiang screamed, collapsed in pain and was taken to hospital, where doctors found second-degree burns over 10 to 11 per cent of her body
- A government chemist reported the recovered liquid contained at least 90 per cent sulphuric acid, strong enough to cause severe burns and permanent visual damage
- Police said Kew had scouted the area days earlier, later surrendered two days after the attack, and gave no explanation in interviews
Why It Matters
The case underlines the severity of corrosive substance attacks in a dense urban setting such as Wan Chai, where a brief assault can leave lasting physical injuries. For Hong Kong readers, the proceedings also show how surveillance footage, forensic testing and pre-attack movements can become central evidence in serious violent crime cases