A 43-year-old man has pleaded guilty to attempted arson and attempted wounding with intent after dousing his wife and their 10-year-old daughter with a petrol-smelling liquid. The District Court adjourned sentencing until 23 November 2026.
The prosecution said the incident happened at about 3am on 20 August 2025 at the family’s home in Yat Tung Estate. The man suspected his wife of having an affair, which she denied. They had agreed to separate and planned to divorce, but were still living in the same home. He poured the liquid over his wife and daughter, then himself, and threatened that the family would die together unless his wife admitted infidelity. He tried to ignite the liquid with a lighter, but no fire started.
According to the prosecution account, the man struck his wife on the head about six or seven times. Their daughter was hit on the forearm as she tried to protect her mother. The account also said he showed his wife a recording he claimed proved an affair; it contained the sound of her changing bed sheets.
Testing found traces of kerosene on the bottle recovered from the home and on clothing belonging to all three family members.
The judge adjourned sentencing for a background report on the defendant and trauma reports on the two victims. The man was remanded pending sentence.