Man Arrested After Beating His Girlfriend to Death While Helping Her Lose Weight

A 29-year-old man has been found guilty of manslaughter after his girlfriend died while he claimed he was helping her with an intensive weight-loss routine.

The High Court jury, in a majority 5–2 verdict on Friday, acquitted Ng Ka-sing of murder but unanimously found him guilty of the lesser charge of manslaughter over the death of his 30-year-old girlfriend, Yip Tsz-ching.

The tragic incident occurred four years ago at the couple’s 700-square-foot apartment in Galore Garden, Hung Shui Kiu.

During the trial, Ng maintained that he did not intend to kill Yip, insisting that her death was accidental and occurred while he was beating her as part of an extreme diet and fitness regimen aimed at helping her lose weight.

After hearing the evidence, the jury rejected the murder charge but concluded that Ng was criminally responsible for her death by convicting him of manslaughter.

Presiding judge, Mrs Justice Judianna Barnes, said the verdict indicated the jury accepted that Ng’s account may have been truthful that the death was not intentional but resulted from his actions during the weight-loss routine.

The judge also noted that Ng’s risk of committing a similar offence again appeared to be “extremely low.” However, she said the court would require additional information regarding his character before determining an appropriate sentence.

The case has been adjourned until Monday, when the court is expected to hear mitigation submissions before sentencing.