A Hong Kong court has sentenced an elderly internet personality known as “Mr Ho” to two months in prison after he admitted stabbing his wife during a dispute over their relationship.
The District Court handed down the sentence on Tuesday to 79-year-old Ho Huen. The court proceeded with the hearing even though Ho was not present because he remains in hospital due to an undisclosed medical condition.
Judge Stanley Chan Kwong-chi said the case should be concluded without further delay. He noted that Ho had already spent a significant amount of time in custody and that his health could continue to decline while awaiting another hearing.
The case centered on an incident in which Ho stabbed his wife several times after learning that she planned to return to mainland China. Court proceedings found that the relationship between the couple had broken down before the attack.
According to the court, the victim was much younger than Ho. The incident happened after tensions grew between the couple and their relationship deteriorated.
The judge considered several factors before deciding the sentence. These included Ho’s age, his current medical condition, the time he had already spent in custody, and the circumstances surrounding the offense.
Although Ho did not attend the sentencing hearing, the court said there was no expected date for his discharge from hospital. The judge ruled that delaying the case further would not serve the interests of justice.
Ho became widely known in Hong Kong through online videos and social media, where he gained attention under the nickname “Mr Ho.” His internet presence made the case more visible to the public following his arrest.
The court did not indicate that his online popularity had any impact on the sentence. Instead, the decision focused on the facts presented during the legal proceedings and the evidence before the court.
The ruling brings the criminal case to a close after months of legal proceedings. The judge emphasized the importance of resolving the matter while taking into account both the seriousness of the offense and the defendant’s health.
The case has attracted public attention because of Ho’s online profile and the circumstances surrounding the attack. It also highlights how domestic violence cases continue to be handled through Hong Kong’s criminal justice system.
Following Tuesday’s decision, Ho will serve a two-month prison sentence, subject to the time already spent in custody and any applicable legal procedures related to his hospitalization.
