Healer in court after gran died during 'slapping therapy' workshop

Hongchi Xiao is said to have caused the death of Danielle Carr-Gomm, 71, who died during a week-long workshop he hosted at Cleeve House in Seend, Wiltshire, in 2016.

On Friday (December 1), Salisbury Magistrates' Court heard that Xiao, 60, told Mrs Carr-Gomm to stop taking her diabetes medication.

READ MORE: Hong chi Xiao manslaughter charge after 'slapping therapy'

He is accused of encouraging her to use paida lajin - colloquially known as 'slapping therapy' - to treat her condition.

Danielle Carr-Gomm (Image: SWNS)

Xiao, who spoke only to confirm this name, age and address, during the brief hearing, faces a charge of gross negligence manslaughter.

The court was told he was running a business purporting to provide "medical advice and assistance to members of the public".

Cleeve House in Seend (Image: SWNS)

Mrs Carr-Gomm, who was born in France and moved to the UK aged 21, was found dead at the 19th-century mansion by a fellow workshop attendee who she was sharing a room with.

She was diagnosed with diabetes in 1999 and struggled to inject insulin due to a fear of needles.

Speaking after her death, her son Matthew Carr-Gomm, who lives in New Zealand, said: “She was always keen to try and find alternative methods of treating and dealing with her diabetes and was very interested in alternative and holistic medicine and therapies.

“I know she was desperate to try and cure herself of this disease. She always maintained a healthy lifestyle and was adamant that nothing would stop her from living a full life.

“In recent years, mum was in a great place with a partner, a lovely home, and was travelling the world. She had a lot of life left in her.”

He said the death of Mrs Carr-Gomm had come as a “huge shock” to the family.

Xiao remanded in custody to appear before Winchester Crown Court on January 3.