Brutal murder of Lincoln student at hands of ex-husband ‘could not have been predicted’

The murder of a Chinese student at the hands of her ex-husband in Lincoln could not have been predicted, according to a new report.

A domestic homicide review into the death of Mingzi Yang, then 29, was published by Lincolnshire County Council’s Community and Safety Partnership on March 23, suggesting that it would have been difficult to prevent the attack.

As previously reported, Wai Hong Tsang, 34, was jailed for life for the murder on his former wife at her home on Sincil Bank on June 17, 2014.

Wai Hong Tsang, was jailed for life to serve a minimum of 28 years after being found guilty of the murder of Mingzi Yang.

Tsang, from Grimsby, had driven to the edge of Lincoln, then cycled to Yang’s house before battering her with a blunt weapon which was never recovered.

Yang suffered fatal head injuries in the brutal attack.

It is believed that the planned murder may have been triggered by a solicitor’s letter regarding contact arrangements and the possible reduction of time Tsang spent with his son.

The report found that there had been evidence of domestic abuse soon after their marriage in 2007, with the first incident being recorded by Essex Police in March 2008.

Still images showing Tsang on the cycle, coming into Lincoln and then leaving after the murder. Photos: Lincolnshire Police

There were also three reports of domestic abuse made to Humberside Police in November 2009, November 2011 and December 2011, with records suggesting knives had been used.

Ms Yang told police she had tried unsuccessfully to contact Women’s Aid and had no friends or family to support her due to her being new to the country.

The Chinese student finally divorced Tsang after four years of marriage.

The pair then only saw each other when handing over their son to one another as part of an arrangement made by the court following their divorce in 2012.

“Difficult to have taken steps to prevent it”

Pete Moore, chair of the Lincolnshire Community Safety Partnership, said: “The report concludes that the death of Mrs F (Yang) could not have been predicted by agencies and the nature of her murder indicates that it would have been difficult for any organisation to have taken steps to prevent it.”

Mingzi Yang. Photo: Lincolnshire Police

Tony McGinty, independent chair of the review panel, said: “Although procedures were followed, agencies were sometimes limited because the nature of the abuse Mrs F (Yang) suffered was often ‘coercive control’.

“Nationally and locally, changes have been made in light of the addition to the definition of domestic abuse in 2013, which now includes controlling and coercive behaviour.

“This definition change has been important in helping our understanding of abuse in relationships, and this case highlights exactly why that change was needed.”