A Hong Kong teen was jailed 8 years for a paid acid attack on a Singaporean woman in Wan Chai on June 9; paid HK$10,000, he left her scarred and with PTSD.
Tags:Source: OT-Team(G), VnExpress, The Straits Times
On October 29, a Hong Kong court sentenced a 19-year-old triad-linked man to eight years in prison for a paid acid attack that left a 36-year-old Singaporean woman with permanent scars and lasting psychological trauma.
A Hong Kong teenager has been sentenced to eight years in prison for a carefully planned acid attack on a Singaporean woman, leaving her with permanent scars and lasting psychological trauma. The attacker, who was 17 at the time, carried out the assault in exchange for a promised HK$10,000 (approximately US$1,270).
The victim, 36-year-old Jiang Wen, suffered second-degree burns to her face and limbs after being splashed with highly concentrated sulfuric acid while getting into a car in Hong Kong's Wan Chai district on June 9, 2025. She spent 61 days in hospital undergoing multiple operations and skin graft procedures before returning to Singapore for further treatment.
Despite having no known prior connection with the attacker, Jiang continues to suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and insomnia, with the physical and psychological consequences expected to affect her for years to come.
Ambushed Twice with Concentrated Sulfuric Acid
The attack took place after Jiang had met her sister in Wan Chai and was preparing to leave in a private car.
As she opened the car door to get in, a stranger dressed entirely in black and wearing a face mask suddenly approached from behind and threw corrosive liquid at her.
Jiang instinctively turned around to see what was happening, only to be splashed a second time. She immediately felt intense burning pain across her face and exposed legs before collapsing to the ground and screaming in agony.
The attacker fled the scene, while the driver immediately called the police.
An investigation later confirmed that the liquid was highly concentrated sulfuric acid. A government chemist's report found that the substance contained at least 90% sulfuric acid, while other court reporting put its concentration at nearly 70%.
Jiang suffered chemical burns covering approximately 10% to 11% of her body, including her face, feet and upper limbs. Her leg injuries included second-degree burns.
She underwent surgery and multiple skin graft procedures during her 61-day hospital stay before returning to Singapore to continue treatment.
Although she survived the attack, she was left with permanent, visible scars. She was also diagnosed with PTSD and has continued to experience insomnia, requiring medication and ongoing treatment.
Teenager Scouted the Location Before the Attack
Following the assault, Hong Kong police launched an investigation and reviewed surveillance footage.
Investigators discovered that the attacker, identified as Anson Kew, had visited the area several days before the incident to survey the location.
On the day of the attack, he wore a hat and face mask and waited nearby. He had also hidden a red plastic bag containing the corrosive substance in a back alley before Jiang arrived.
Kew turned himself in at a police station two days later, accompanied by his father and a lawyer. However, he refused to answer police questions and never explained why he had targeted Jiang.
Police investigations subsequently uncovered that the attack was a paid job. According to information presented in court, Kew had admitted to a probation officer that he had been promised HK$10,000 (approximately US$1,270) to carry out the assault.
The assignment had come through an individual associated with local triad circles.
There was no indication that Kew and Jiang had known each other before the incident or had any personal dispute.
Judge: Attack Had a Lifelong Impact on Victim
Kew, who is now 19, pleaded guilty on October 15 at Hong Kong's High Court to one count of throwing corrosive fluid with intent to cause grievous bodily harm.
On October 29, Justice Andrew Chan Hing-wai sentenced him to eight years in prison.
In delivering the sentence, the judge described the attack as carefully planned and emphasized the severe and lasting consequences for Jiang.
He noted that Kew had committed the offense purely for financial gain, with no other apparent motive, and that the assault had caused the victim profound physical and psychological harm.
The court adopted a starting point of 12 years' imprisonment before reducing the sentence by one-third in recognition of Kew's guilty plea.
The judge also declined to give Kew additional credit for turning himself in, noting that he had done so only after police had already been searching for him and with the assistance of his father and lawyer.
Troubled Background and Links to Triad Societies
Court reports also shed light on Kew's background.
He had a history of offending from an early age, including involvement in a theft case at the age of 14. He was subsequently placed in a juvenile detention facility after breaching a probation order.
Kew dropped out of school at around 16 and later became involved with undesirable associates. He also had a history of drug use.
Although he denied formally joining a triad society, Justice Chan said he was satisfied that Kew had effectively become involved with a triad group, noting that the assignment to attack Jiang had reached him through such associates.
The judge further questioned Kew's willingness to reform, describing his motivation to change as questionable.
The eight-year sentence brings the case to a close in court, but the consequences for Jiang remain. What began as a visit to Hong Kong to see family has left her with permanent physical injuries and psychological trauma, after she was attacked by a teenager who had been paid to target her.
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