A public schoolboy named Thomas Wei Huang has been convicted of a dormitory hammer attack at a prestigious boarding school in Devon. Huang, a Malaysian student from a wealthy family who turns 18 in January, carried out the attack on two sleeping students and a teacher at Blundell’s School in Tiverton. Despite previous reporting restrictions due to his age, Mrs Justice Cutts has lifted these restrictions, allowing Huang’s identity to be revealed.
During his trial, Huang shared that he had come to England to study at a boarding school and was excited about the opportunity. He expressed his contentment with academic aspects but mentioned his dislike for sports and the food at the school. Huang revealed that he kept hammers near his bed for protection, fearing a zombie apocalypse after being influenced by movies and TV shows like The Walking Dead.
Following the incident, Huang has been diagnosed with autism, and he maintains that he did not intend to murder anyone during the attack. He expressed deep remorse for his actions and apologised to the victims and their families. Huang was found guilty of three counts of attempted murder and sentenced to detention for life with a minimum term of 12 years by Mrs Justice Cutts.
The court also learned that Huang’s brother, who had also attended Blundell’s School, would spend time with him at their family’s London home during breaks. Huang mentioned his hobby of mathematics and his arrangements of having two mobile phones at school. Despite his claims of needing protection, Huang’s defence team argued that his actions were not intended to be lethal.
Since the sentencing, there have been no further legal applications to maintain Huang’s anonymity, prompting the formal lifting of reporting restrictions. The case has sparked discussions around school safety and mental health support for students, highlighting the complexities of addressing such incidents within educational institutions.
The story of Thomas Wei Huang serves as a reminder of the importance of mental health awareness and support within the education system. The details of the case shed light on the challenges faced by students, particularly in boarding school environments, and the need for proactive measures to ensure the well-being and safety of all individuals within these settings.