HONG KONG: A woman who attacked an expectant mother in a futile effort to steal her unborn child has been told she will go to jail because of the seriousness of her crime.

Leung Sin-ting pleaded guilty earlier to charges of manslaughter and causing bodily harm, for cutting open the abdomen of the young mother-to-be she met through an online prenatal forum. Doctors were unable to save the fetus. Leung could be sentenced to life in prison.

High Court judge J. Saw yesterday adjourned sentencing of Leung to November 25, while the case is re-evaluated.

Sentencing was delayed because of conflicting assessments Saw found in the reports of different psychologists.

The judge ordered further examination of Leung's mental status to determine whether she constitutes a threat to society.

He also requested the psychologists make recommendations for treatment.

Leung had gained admittance to her victim's home in Fanling by telling the woman she wanted to give the victim some products for her baby.

Once inside the home, Leung complained of feeling unwell, and asked the victim to help her. Leung then choked the woman by wrapping an electrical cord around the woman's neck, before stabbing her with a knife in a failed attempted to remove the fetus.

Leung's husband discovered his wife injured and in distress when he returned home and called police.

China Daily

(HK Edition 10/28/2009 page1)