Knife attack over unpaid debt lands mainland overstayer in court on attempted murder charge

A mainland overstayer who allegedly grabbed a kitchen knife and attacked a “friend” over an unpaid debt has been referred to prosecutors on attempted murder charges, with police saying he appeared to have intended to kill.

According to the Judiciary Police (PJ), a forensic examination found that the victim suffered multiple incised wounds to the head, face and torso, along with a comminuted fracture at the base of the middle phalanx of the right little finger.

The injuries were consistent with those caused by a blunt or sharp object or similar instrument, and the victim was expected to require three months to recover, with further assessment to follow. The victim was discharged that afternoon after treatment, and the injuries did not cause serious harm to his physical integrity.

The case details were announced by police on Friday. According to the investigation, the PJ received the report and arrested the suspect about six hours later on Thursday morning at a spa in the ZAPE district, following the attack in the early hours of the same day at a restaurant on Avenida de Lopo Sarmento de Carvalho. The suspect had approached the victim over a debt of HKD15,000 that he had lent the victim in August this year for gambling. The victim had said he would give the suspect “tea money” if he won, but never repaid the loan.

The suspect told police that he felt the victim was being evasive, after which he entered the restaurant kitchen, took a cleaver with an 18-centimeter blade and struck the victim more than 10 times. The victim fought back with a wooden chair, and the suspect subsequently fled.

“Following a comprehensive investigation, there are strong indications that the suspect deliberately swung the knife multiple times at vital areas, including the victim’s head, demonstrating an intent to kill. He is suspected of attempted murder, the production, possession, or use of prohibited weapons or related items, and illegal lending for gambling,” a PJ spokesperson said at Friday’s press conference.

The spokesperson added that a separate case has been opened to investigate the interest on the loan, noting that the two parties had mentioned giving “tea money” if the suspect won but had not specified a concrete interest amount. At this stage, there is insufficient information to confirm the suspect’s involvement in other illegal activities.