Slapping therapist jailed after woman's death

A slapping workshop organiser has been jailed for 10 years after a woman he encouraged to stop taking insulin died.

Hongchi Xiao, 61, of Cloudbreak in California, was convicted of gross negligence manslaughter after Danielle Carr-Gomm, 71, died from complications related to her diabetes in 2016.

She stopped taking her insulin during a workshop in Wiltshire hosted by Xiao in 2016. Ms Carr-Gomm quickly became unwell before falling into a diabetic coma.

Mr Justice Robert Bright said: "She was youthful and vigorous with a lot of life left to live. Her untimely death was a tragedy."

He added Xiao will be liable to be deported to America after serving his sentence.

Xiao will also have to serve five years on extended licence.

Ms Carr-Gomm died at Cleeve House in Seend, Wiltshire, in October 2016 while taking part in the Paida Lajin therapy event, which sees patients being slapped or slapping themselves repeatedly.

Mrs Carr-Gomm, from Lewes in East Sussex, had Type 1 diabetes, meaning she had to take insulin every day to keep her blood glucose levels under control.

Yet she had a lifelong fear of needles and had frequently sought other ways to deal with the disease.

Paida Lajin, which means "slapping and stretching" is a therapy in which people slap themselves and others in order to expel toxins from the body.

Ms Carr-Gomm believed it worked and delivered glowing testimonials, the court previously heard.

Sentencing Xiao on Friday, Mr Bright said: "You congratulated her [Danielle] when you found out she had stopped taking insulin.

"You failed to summon emergency medical care when you of all people knew she was likely to die without insulin."

He added that Xiao did "not present a danger" to anyone save outside of those who believed in his type of therapy, which is called Paida Lajin.

"I believe you will continue to practice it. There is a risk you will actively or tacitly encourage followers to reduce their medication.

"Letters from your supporters and the undiminished belief they and you have in Paida Lajin make me apprehensive.

"I'm concerned history may repeat itself and this presents a risk to the public. In this specific regard I consider you dangerous."