Taiwan Man Sentenced to Over 9 Years for Acid Attack Over Water Fees

A man in Taichung, Taiwan, has been sentenced to nine years and six months in prison for a vicious assault that left his neighbor permanently blind in one eye and with severely impaired vision in the other. The incident stemmed from a dispute over unpaid water fees. The 59-year-old defendant, identified as Mr. Zhuang, owed his 70-year-old neighbor, Mr. Li, 500 New Taiwan dollars per month for water usage. When Mr. Li, accompanied by a 57-year-old friend, Mr. Chen, visited Zhuang's home to collect the overdue payment, an argument erupted. Zhuang initially attacked Mr. Li with a brick, causing serious head injuries, including lacerations to his ear and mouth and broken teeth. The violence escalated when Zhuang then doused Mr. Chen with a bottle of highly concentrated sulfuric acid. The corrosive chemical caused severe burns to approximately 22% of Chen's body, with his eyes sustaining critical damage. Medical evaluations confirmed permanent blindness in his left eye and the inability to see beyond five centimeters with his right eye. The Taichung District Court found Zhuang guilty of assault and grievous bodily harm, citing his motive, the brutal method, the extent of the injuries, and his lack of remorse or compensation to the victims. The court noted that Zhuang attempted to downplay his actions early in the investigation and has not reached a settlement with the victims.