A Chinese alternative healer has been sentenced to 15 years in prison after a diabetic grandmother tragically died at one of his controversial slap therapy workshops.
Hongchi Xiao, 61, was convicted of manslaughter by gross negligence following the death of Danielle Carr-Gomm, a 69-year-old woman, in October 2016.
The incident occurred during a Paida Lajin therapy event in Wiltshire, England, where participants are slapped repeatedly in an attempt to promote healing.
Carr-Gomm, who had been diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes, attended the workshop in search of alternative treatments due to her fear of needles and her vegetarian lifestyle.
The trial revealed that, despite her diabetic condition, Xiao encouraged her to stop taking her insulin, falsely claiming that his therapy could cure diabetes.
Carr-Gomm later fell gravely ill and died of diabetic ketoacidosis—the result of missing insulin—on the fourth day of the retreat.
The court heard that Carr-Gomm had previously attended a similar workshop in Bulgaria and had stopped her insulin medication after being persuaded by Xiao.
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At the second workshop, she began to exhibit signs of distress, including vomiting, weakness, and severe pain, but Xiao failed to seek medical help, even as she became delirious and frothing at the mouth.
Xiao, who has no medical qualifications, continued to promote Paida Lajin as a cure for various ailments, despite having no scientific basis for the therapy.
His actions were condemned by the court, with Mr. Justice Bright noting that Xiao showed no real remorse and even continued to advocate for the practice in prison.
Carr-Gomm’s family, devastated by her untimely death, have expressed their shock and sadness.
Her son, Matthew Carr-Gomm, described her as a woman who was always eager to explore alternative treatments but never imagined that one would cost her life.
Xiao’s sentence has been hailed as a significant moment for justice, but it also highlights the dangers of unregulated alternative therapies and the importance of seeking medical advice from qualified professionals.