Five men, involved in the brutal assault of seven-year-old Shum Ho-yin last year, were sentenced between two and 18 years of imprisonment by the High Court yesterday.

The sentencing of Shum's stepmother Hung Man-yee, the key accused, has been adjourned to December 13.

In handing down the sentence, deputy High Court judge Peter Line said the case was one of the most brutal and cold-blooded attacks ever handled by the court.

The incident took place on August 25, 2005, when the boy, aged seven then, suffered serious injuries on hand and arm after he was attacked by youngster Lo Ka-ho when he was going home in Lei Muk Shue Estate. Lo's classmate Chan Chin-hong had helped in the attack.

The attack sparked public outcry, and Chief Executive Donald Tsang said it angered both the God and human. The boy, also known as Yin Chai, had a speedy recovery.

Police investigation revealed that the attack idea was conceived by Hung's ex-boyfriend Tsang Ho-wai, aged 24 at that time. She paid Tsang the money to carry out the assault.

Tsang subsequently gave HK$10,000 to Lo to carry out the operation, of which HK$1,000 was given to Chan. The boy suffered seven deep wounds, injuring nerves, arteries and fracturing bones.

The judge said Tsang had refused to plead guilty and did not show remorse, and his only motive for the crime was earning money. He was sentenced to 18 years of imprisonment for wounding with intent, and eight months imprisonment for common assault as he launched attack on the boy in last July. Both sentences would be served concurrently.

The judge said a severe sentence had been necessary to reflect the severity of the crime.

Lo and Chan, aged 16 then, were sentenced 10 years and nine years imprisonment respectively. The judge said it was hard to imagine that Lo had chopped Shum's hand for seven times, while Chan had helped the attack for only HK$1,000.

He said the two youngsters were mature enough to understand the severity of the crime and they should expect no mercy.

Taxi driver Ng Tak-wing was sentenced to eight years imprisonment for transporting the attackers to and out of the crime scene.

Jacky Yeung Sing-kwong was sentenced to two years for helping to engage the taxi driver.

The court yesterday was supposed to also sentence stepmother Hung, aged 21 when the attack happened.

However, Hung's barrister had cited that she had suffered from depression after giving birth last February and had an unhappy marriage with Shum's father. The judge said he would not proceed with sentencing until there was verification of Hung's mental status.

Commenting on the sentence, Senior Assistant Director for Public Prosecution Alain Sham said justice had been done.