England: Man sentenced to 10 years for death of woman in his ‘slap therapy’ workshop

A man, who advocated ‘slap therapy, has been jailed for 10 years after he was found guilty of manslaughter by gross negligence over the death of a diabetic woman who stopped taking insulin at his alternative therapy workshop in England.

“Hongxhi Xiao, 61, of Cloudbreak, California, was found guilty of the manslaughter of 71-year-old Danielle Carr-Gomm following a four-week trial at Winchester Crown Court earlier this year,” Wiltshire Police said in a statement.

Appearing before Winchester Crown Court on Saturday Xiao was sentenced to 10 years in prison, plus a five-year extended licence period.

He led an alternative therapies workshop in Cleeve House, Seend, in October 2016, where the attendees, including 71-year-old Danielle, took part in ‘Paida Lajin’ – an ancient Chinese method for self-healing, which involves slapping and stretching techniques combined with other activities.

Police said Xiao had no medical qualifications or experience but promoted Paida Lajin as an effective cure for many conditions including diabetes.

“Danielle was a type 1 diabetic and had stopped taking her insulin at the workshop whilst taking part in a three day fast, organised by Xiao,” police said.

However, her health deteriorated whilst in the care of Xiao and she was found dead in her room in the early hours of October 20, 2016.

A major investigation was launched by officers and Xiao was arrested the following morning.

Further tests were subsequently carried out and Danielle was found to have died as a result of diabetic ketoacidosis which develops after a person with type 1 diabetes stops their insulin treatment.

Sentencing, Justice Bright KC said: “You failed to summon emergency medical care when you of all people knew she was likely to die without insulin.”

He added that Carr-Gomm’s death “was a tragedy for her and all who loved her.”