The High Court has imposed an indefinite hospital order on Szeto Sing-kwong after the prosecution accepted his diminished-responsibility basis for two manslaughter pleas over the deaths of two women at Plaza Hollywood. The order followed psychiatric reports recommending continued hospital treatment.
The attack took place on 2 June 2023 on the third floor of the Diamond Hill shopping centre. The victims were 方曉彤, who was 26, and 劉繼禧, who was 22. Szeto had originally faced two murder charges before the High Court recorded his pleas to manslaughter on the ground of diminished responsibility.
Three psychiatrists assessed Szeto as having schizophrenia and delusions, with the conditions impairing his rational judgment and ability to control himself when the attack happened. Justice Esther Toh accepted the medical recommendations and imposed the indefinite order, considering it appropriate for both Szeto and society.
The court heard that Szeto bought an 18-centimetre sushi knife for HK$289 from a shop on the mall’s second floor. He opened it there and remained nearby before attacking the two women close to shops 309 and 310 on the third floor.
Police arrested Szeto after the attack, and both women were taken to hospital, where they were pronounced dead. Forensic findings cited in court attributed both deaths to knife injuries that caused massive internal bleeding and respiratory failure.
Justice Toh described the case as a tragedy and said no sentence could heal the families’ trauma. She also praised a chef who used a round chair to drive Szeto away and prevent further injuries, calling the intervention courageous.