Hong Kong couple deny murdering daughter, 5, who died after months of ‘torture in hell’
- High Court hears girl was found with more than 130 injuries over her body after she was rushed unconscious to hospital on January 6, 2018
- Father, 29, and stepmother, 30, deny murder but admit to child cruelty in respect to girl and her older brother
A Hong Kong couple have denied murdering their five-year-old daughter who prosecutors said died of septicaemia after her immunity was weakened by 150 days of neglect, horrifying “games” and torture “in hell”.
The High Court on Wednesday heard the child was found with more than 130 injuries over her body, after she was rushed unconscious – in a diaper – to hospital and certified dead on January 6, 2018.
Her eight-year-old brother was also sent to hospital on the same day, and was similarly found with 130 injuries to his head, face and underweight body, according to prosecutors.
Their father, 29, and stepmother, 30, have admitted two counts of child cruelty in respect to both children, but denied the girl’s murder. The prosecution has rejected their offer to plead guilty to the lesser charge of manslaughter, also punishable by life in prison.
The children’s 56-year-old step-grandmother is also on trial, on four counts of child cruelty, alleging wilful ill-treatment and neglect in a manner likely to cause unnecessary suffering, which she has denied.
None of the defendants or their relatives can be named following Mr Justice Albert Wong Sung-hau’s gag order, to protect the identity of the children.