Man gets two years' jail time for avenging toothache

Jamie Liu

A 69-year-old retiree was sentenced to two years and two months in prison for attacking his dentist with a pair of scissors last August in retaliation for his prolonged tooth pain following a surgery.

In a hearing at the District Court yesterday, deputy district judge Katherine Lo Kit-yee handed down the jail sentence for Yuen Pak-hung, who pleaded guilty to one count of wounding with intent.

Lo believed that Yuen's crime was premeditated as he bought a pair of scissors on the day of the attack and waited for the dentist at the scene.

The judge also rejected Yuen's arguments that he committed the offense under provocation as he suffered prolonged tooth pain following the dentist's treatment.

Lo said any issue or complaint related to dental treatments should be brought before the Dental Council of Hong Kong, but the defendant chose violence, having acted foolishly and recklessly.

Lo also pointed out that the pair of scissors, with 8-centimeter blades, was considered a fatal weapon, and that the assault almost damaged the dentist's artery.

The judge said the initial sentence was three years and three months' imprisonment, but eventually reduced the jail term to two years and two months following the guilty plea.

The court heard that Yuen received dental treatments from dentist Lau Chung-yan in July 2024. A month later, when Lau was leaving the clinic in Tung Tau Estate, Yuen allegedly stabbed the dentist in the ear and back with a pair of scissors.

He fled the scene after a passerby witnessed the struggle and called police, who later arrested Yuen in a residential block in the same estate.

jamie.liu@singtaonewscorp.com