Tenant's arson threat

A 'bad-tempered' tenant threatened to set fire to his landlord's house to secure a lifelong lease, a court heard yesterday.

Tong Siu-ming, 35, pleaded guilty to attempted arson before District Court Judge Peter Sweeney.

The court heard that Tong had rented a cubicle in a Cheung Sha Wan flat from a couple but was unable to maintain a good relationship with the landlord and landlady who often asked him to move out.

After repeated disputes, Tong poured kerosene outside the landlady's room in the early hours of July 26, and threatened to set it alight unless she apologised and extended his lease, the court was told.

With help from firemen, police officers and negotiators, Tong calmed down but he surrendered only after the landlord signed a note allowing him to rent the cubicle for life at a monthly rental of $1,800.

Defence counsel Peter Wan Wah-shing told the court that Tong suffered from mental disturbances and was on long-term medication for an emotional problem.