A man was sentenced to six years in prison on Monday after he was judged guilty of intentional homicide for "helping" another man commit suicide, Shanghai Evening Post reports.

Wu Tao and Zhang Xin both subsisted by picking through rubbish in the city.

According to Wu's testimony, the two were drinking alcohol at a bridge on April 19 when Zhang said he wanted to die.

At 8 pm that same night, Wu carried Zhang to the bank of Suzhou Creek and eventually pushed him into the water.

Zhang did not cry for help before he drowned, as witnessed by a passer-by.

The court ruled that Wu committed wilful murder by helping another man end his life.

Close