A 42-year-old man in Taiwan has been sentenced to 100 days in detention after randomly attacking three women with a bamboo skewer at a busy night market.
The incidents occurred on 24 January 2025 between 8.30pm and 9pm at Zhongli Night Market in Taoyuan City. The man, identified only by his surname Liu, was walking through the crowded area carrying a charity donation sign and box, using the sign to conceal the bamboo skewer in his other hand.
Prosecutors reported that Liu targeted three unrelated women in quick succession, stabbing them in the thighs and buttocks while they shopped. The victims, surnamed Chen, Yang, and Luo, described sudden electric shock-like pains and only realised they had been attacked after looking around. Ms Chen sustained a puncture wound to her left thigh, Ms Yang was stabbed in the left buttock, and Ms Luo suffered abrasions to her right thigh. The assaults caused panic among shoppers at the market.
Police quickly identified Liu after reviewing CCTV footage and arrested him. In court, Liu admitted to the attacks, stating that he was in a “bad mood,” reportedly frustrated that he had received no donations while soliciting charity contributions.
The Taoyuan District Court treated the assaults as three separate counts of causing injury due to the different victims involved. Despite Liu holding a government-issued disability certificate as a deaf and mute individual, the court ruled that his condition did not mitigate his responsibility. Liu also had prior convictions for sexual offences, theft, and violations of the Sexual Harassment Prevention Act, which he had already served.
Taking into account his confession and cooperative attitude, the court sentenced Liu to 100 days’ detention for the three counts, noting he had not sought or obtained forgiveness from the victims. The sentence can be converted into a fine of NT$1,000 (around RM140) per day.
