Chinese woman accused of killing Australian child with garden shears

A spurned Chinese woman sobbed hysterically in court on Thursday after being accused of killing a four-year-old boy in Australia with garden shears before laying in wait for his grandmother and stabbing her to death. Cai Xia Liao, 45, had been having an affair with the boy’s Melbourne-based grandfather Brian Mach, 61, until he recently called it off, prompting her to allegedly tie and gag him after arriving at his home on Tuesday morning. Police claim she then killed his grandson Alistair Mach, 4, whom he was babysitting, as the boy lay in bed, stabbing or slashing him with the shears in the head and neck. He also had deep defensive wounds to his fingers, hands and arms.

A very bubbly, a very good boy. They (Alistair’s parents) are trying to be strong for the rest of the family but they are definitely very devastated.

Family friend Diana Teoh, who had known Alastair since birth

An out-of-sessions court hearing late Wednesday was told Brian Mach had recently broken off a relationship with the woman. He was taken to hospital with minor injuries, police said. Cai, who does not speak English, was charged with two counts of murder and one count each of intentionally causing injury and false imprisonment. She appeared in the Melbourne Magistrates Court on Thursday and sobbed uncontrollably during a short appearance. Her lawyer Sarah Pratt said Liao needed blood pressure medication and had suicidal thoughts.

Asia-Pacific Albanvale