Taiwan: Man gets 6 years for assaulting probation officer over house sale

A man in Taiwan has been sentenced to six years in prison for a violent assault on a 70-year-old probation officer. The incident stemmed from the probation officer's intention to sell the house where the offender, Chen, was residing.

Lin, the probation officer, had been providing the house as a temporary residence for Chen and another former offender. Facing old age, Lin decided to sell the property to live abroad, a decision that angered Chen.

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The probation officer had provided the house as a temporary home for the man and another former offender.

On October 24, 2023, Chen lured Lin to the house, locked the doors, and brutally beat her with a wooden stick. He also demanded she sign a promissory note. When Lin refused, Chen continued the assault, even breaking a coffee table and brandishing a knife. Fortunately, the other resident, Dong, returned and took the injured Lin to the hospital.

Police investigated and seized evidence including the wooden stick, promissory note, and mobile phone. Chen admitted to injuring Lin but denied any intent to rob. He claimed he was trying to settle accounts because his savings had been withdrawn from his account. However, the court found that Lin had provided significant financial support for the offenders and that Chen had no legitimate claim to the funds. The court ruled that Chen's actions constituted attempted robbery with a weapon, leading to the six-year sentence.

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The assault occurred when the man became angry about the potential sale and demanded the probation officer sign a promissory note.