Man tries to strangle landlady over slow wi-fi, sentenced to jail

A man in Singapore, identified as Li Xin, confronted his landlady in a fit of rage over slow Wi-Fi speed in his apartment and tried to strangle her to death.

The incident, which occurred on May 16, escalated into a terrifying ordeal for the landlady as Li brandished a knife, threatened her family, and attempted to strangle her. The 30-year-old hotel housekeeper pleaded guilty to charges of criminal intimidation and causing hurt, and has been sentenced to five months imprisonment, reported the South China Morning Post (SCMP).

Li, while drinking and playing a mobile game, became infuriated by the slow internet connection. He stormed into the landlady's room and retrieved a 14cm-bladed knife and forcibly took the elderly woman to his own room, where he forcefully pushed her onto the bed and proceeded to strangle her.

The landlady managed to momentarily calm Li down and called out to another tenant, Ji Zhaoliang. Li then revealed his intention to harm the landlady and her family and said: "Because I told him I will be killing all your family and all of you." Ji Zhaoliang then arrived home and intervened. Li Xin was subsequently apprehended and brought before the court.

During the legal proceedings, Li appealed to the judge for leniency, citing his unfamiliarity with Singapore's strict laws. The charges against him included criminal intimidation with the intent to cause death and causing hurt by choking, which carried a maximum penalty of three years imprisonment or a fine of US $3,730, or both.

The court, however, handed down a five-month jail sentence to Li Xin, emphasising the severity of his actions and the need to uphold law and order.