HONG KONG: The man accused in the Causeway Bay corrosive liquid attack last December 12 was denied bail when he appeared in Eastern Magistrate's court Friday. The case against Lo Ching-ho has been transferred to the High Court for trial.

The 23-year-old, slightly-built Lo is charged with one count of throwing corrosive fluid with intent to cause grievous bodily harm. He entered no plea.

Magistrate Anthony Yuen Wai-ming adjourned the case until April 9 pending receipt of two psychiatric reports on Lo.

Lo's counsel appealed for him to be granted bail, based on the fact that the accused has no criminal record. Counsel added that Lo would be pleased to hand in his travel documents and would periodically report to police. Police objected to the bail owing to the seriousness of the offence with which Lo is charged.

The magistrate, upon refusing the bail application, remanded Lo into custody. Lo listened attentively throughout the hearing.

Lo's father who attended the hearing could hardly mask his disappointment over the denial of bail. Despite his disappointment he told China Daily that he would maintain a calm state of mind and live in hope. He would not comment any further at this stage.

Lo reportedly has a history of schizophrenia and suffers from bipolar disorder. He had been receiving treatment at Eastern Hospital for two or three years. Lo previously worked at Ocean Park as a part-time actor.

Six people were hurt in the acid attack in Causeway Bay, the first on Hong Kong Island. The incident happened in the area near Sogo department store on Lockhart Road when a bottle of corrosive fluid was thrown from the staircase between the second and third floor of a six-story building.

After weeks of intensive investigation, Lo was arrested January 13 in Yuen Long. The breakthrough of the investigations can be attributed to the black paper bag that was left behind and an Octopus card. Police officers found the bag near Sogo department store containing a bottle of corrosive fluid - the only evidence they obtained.

Lo is not suspected in four similar attacks that occurred in Mong Kok and Yau Ma Tei. Police believe the Causeway Bay incident was a copycat crime.

Since the first acid attack happened in Mong Kok in December 2008, more than 100 people have been injured in the attacks. Apart from Lo, no other suspects has been caught so far. Police rewards for information on the assailants have risen from the initial HK$100,000 for the first attack to HK$1.7 million.

(HK Edition 02/27/2010 page1)