Vengeful Backpacker Jailed for Six Years After Petrol Attack Reign of Terror
A Taiwanese backpacker who embarked on a terrifying campaign of violence against her former landlord and his family has been sentenced to six years and two months in prison, with a non-parole period of four years. Tsai-Wei Hung, a 33-year-old egg-packer, wailed in court as her fate was sealed at the County Court of Victoria on Wednesday.
Escalating Campaign of Violence
The nightmare began on March 10, 2024, when landlord Lin Zhang arrived at his Viewbright Road property in Clyde North, Melbourne's south-east, to evict Hung after months of heated arguments and concerning behaviour. What followed was a chilling escalation that left multiple victims fearing for their lives.
The court heard Hung began her rampage by pelting the homeowner's garage door with eggs before quickly escalating to more dangerous behaviour. She drove her car at Mr Zhang when he confronted her, then repeatedly crashed into the garage door, destroying it and three vehicles stored inside.
Petrol Attacks on Sleeping Families
The situation deteriorated further when Hung was released on bail. In June, she returned to torment her former landlord, throwing plastic bottles of petrol over the front door of his house and setting it alight while three people slept inside. Terrified occupants could be heard screaming "She's back, she's back" as the attack unfolded.
Hung then tracked the family to their new home in Berwick, where she again doused the front door in petrol. CCTV footage captured the moment she repeatedly tossed matches at the fuel until it exploded into flames, shouting "Go to hell" in Mandarin before fleeing. The premises contained at least seven people, including children and an elderly mother.
Extortion Demands and Further Crimes
The following day, Hung sent a message to one of Mr Zhang's associates demanding her former landlord pay $30,000 or she would strike again. "If I do not get the money today, I cannot ensure I wouldn't do something again," she wrote in the threatening message.
Hung also stole a car from a rental company the same day and fraudulently obtained $8,900 from an innocent buyer. She was arrested that night and has remained in custody since, having already spent 600 days behind bars awaiting sentence after repeated delays.
Courtroom Drama and Judicial Condemnation
During sentencing proceedings, Hung halted the court to have what was described as an "unhinged" emotional outburst about her situation. She cried, moaned and ranted in her native tongue while the packed courtroom looked on.
Judge Carolene Gwynn condemned Hung for her "wretched behaviour," telling her it was sheer luck that no one was killed during her rampage. "I accept the Crown submission that you pursued a terrifying vendetta affecting numerous victims in a premeditated course of conduct," Judge Gwynn said.
The judge noted that Hung's offending was "clearly planned, targeted and occurred in the early hours of the morning" and that she had "no regard for whom you were placing in harm's way."
Guilty Plea and Viral Notoriety
Hung pleaded guilty in December to multiple charges including four counts of arson, reckless conduct endangering life, burglary, theft, dangerous driving and extortion. Her crime spree gained significant attention, with the case making news in her homeland of Taiwan and YouTube videos about the incidents racking up millions of views.
When interviewed by police, Hung told detectives she "just wanted to scare them," a statement that starkly contrasted with the severity and danger of her actions. The court heard her family in Taiwan had quickly learned of her outrageous behaviour as the case gained international attention.
