HONG KONG: A 72-year-old man will spend the next four years in jail for throwing corrosive liquid at his estranged wife after she refused to give him money for him to go out to celebrate Chinese New Year.

Deputy High Court Judge Colin Mackintosh said Cheung was intent on injuring his wife and the stiff sentence was intended as a deterrent, to discourage others from committing similar offenses.

Cheung Cho-fat was convicted on August 6 of two counts of throwing the acid with intent to cause grievous bodily harm.

Cheung's wife and daughter had moved to Tuen Mun after quarreling with the accused last year.

On January 22, Cheung came to the Tuen Mun home and attacked his 71-year-old wife with a glass of corrosive fluid. The wife sought refuge in the bathroom - the defendant in pursuit. The couple's 45-year-old daughter was injured when splashed with acid while attempting to stop the assault.

The wife suffered burns to her face and arms. The daughter suffered minor burns to her neck and forearm.

Judge Mackintosh said Cheung could have blinded or even disfigured his wife.

Cheung's wife told the court she had forgiven him and said she was willing to reconcile but Judge Mackintosh said forgiveness carried little weight in his judgment.

(HK Edition 08/26/2009 page1)