On the afternoon of 7/8, the Nghe An Provincial People's Court held an appellate hearing and sentenced Phap, 51, a resident of Quang Thanh commune, to two years and six months in prison for intentionally causing injury, according to Article 134 of the Penal Code.

Previously, in 2024, the former Yen Thanh District People's Court held a first-instance trial and sentenced Phap to five years in prison. The defendant subsequently appealed, arguing that the sentence was too harsh.

The appellate panel found that the defendant's remorse and proactive compensation to the victim were mitigating factors to consider, and accepted the appeal. The court ordered Phap to compensate the victim's family 350 million VND.

Defendant Phap at the court. Photo: Hung Le

Defendant Phap at the court. Photo: Hung Le

According to the indictment, at approximately 9:15 PM on 21/9/2024, Phap and Truong, 59, both attended a party at a neighbor's house. After singing on stage, Phap went down to eat porridge when Truong criticized him, "You sing poorly," and insulted Phap's parents.

Phap replied, "My father is deceased, stop cursing," and then threatened to punch Truong, believing he had repeatedly insulted his parents and "now there's no need to hold back."

Authorities allege Phap then picked up a ceramic bowl from the tray and threw it at Truong's face, causing injuries to his forehead, nose, and eyes. The victim was hospitalized and sustained 49% bodily harm.

Duc Hung