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“The practice (Paida Lajin) involves participants slapping parts of their body with their hands until they begin to swell and turn red, supposedly ridding the blood of so-called toxins which cause organs to ‘become sick’.
*Hongchi Xiao
PEGASUS REPORTERS, LAGOS | DECEMBER 6, 2024
An alternative healer who failed to get medical help for a diabetic grandmother who died after she stopped taking insulin at his slapping therapy workshop has been jailed for 10 years.
Danielle Carr-Gomm died in October 2016 while taking part in the Paida Lajin therapy event, which sees patients being slapped or slapping themselves repeatedly.
Hongchi Xiao, of Cloudbreak, California, was convicted by a jury at Winchester Crown Court of the manslaughter by gross negligence of Mrs Carr-Gomm, from Lewes, East Sussex, in July. The 61-year-old was today sentenced to 10 years in prison, plus a five-year extended licence period at Winchester Crown Court.
*The late Danielle Carr-Gomm; a diabetic who was slapped to death
The trial heard that Mrs Carr-Gomm, who was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes in 1999, had sought alternatives to her insulin medication because of her vegetarianism and fear of needles.
She had first joined a Paida Lajin workshop, which means ‘slap and stretch’, run by the defendant in Bulgaria in July 2016.
She then joined another course later that year, where she fell gravely ill and was heard ‘howling in pain’ before dying of diabetic ketoacidosis on the fourth day of the workshop at Cleeve House in Wiltshire.
Xiao ignored medical evidence that diabetics need lifesaving insulin and ‘evangelised’ his slap therapy course as a ‘cure’ for diabetes.
The 61-year-old Xiao (pictured) was today sentenced to 10 years in prison, plus a five-year extended licence period at Winchester Crown Court
Mrs Carr-Gomm, a follower of Xiao’s who wanted to get rid of her type 1 diabetes, fell gravely ill throughout the October 2016 workshop
In a broadcast sentencing of Xiao on Friday, Mr Justice Bright said: ‘I sentence you on the basis you knew from late in the afternoon of day one of the fact that Danielle Carr-Gomm had stopped taking her insulin.
‘Furthermore you made it clear to her you supported this.’
The judge said Xiao made a ‘token effort’ to get her to take her insulin which was too little, too late, and showed ‘no real sign of clear remorse’ as he continues to practice and promote Paida Laijin in prison.
‘I consider you dangerous even though you do not share the characteristics of most other dangerous offenders,’ he added.
Jurors were told Mrs Carr-Gomm had sought alternatives to her insulin medication because of her vegetarianism and fear of needles.
*Bruises from slapping the tummy of another faithful
The court heard that she had provided a testimonial for Xiao, describing him as a ‘messenger sent by God’ who was ‘starting a revolution to put the power back in the hands of the people to cure themselves and to change the whole system of health care’.
The trial previously heard Mrs Carr-Gomm attended her first Paida Lajin retreat in Bulgaria in July, where she also stopped her insulin medication and became seriously ill before recovering.
She went on to attend another of Xiao’s workshops in Wiltshire in October of that year.
The 71-year-old, who had diabetes, ended up dead from the consequences of Xiao’s unorthodox methods
Hongchi Xiao, 61, has been jailed for 10 years for the manslaughter of Danielle Carr-Gomm
What is Paida Lajin?
The art of slap therapy is claimed to be a method of self-healing which promises to improve blood circulation and release toxins from the body.
But the seemingly painful practice has been linked to many deaths worldwide and has also seen practitioners covered in deep cuts and huge swollen bruises.
The practice involves participants slapping parts of their body with their hands until they begin to swell and turn red, supposedly ridding the blood of so-called toxins which cause organs to ‘become sick’.
Those who practice Paida Laijin believe it can remove blockages of toxins, known as ‘sha’, in ‘microcirculations’ that are present in all internal organs.
Many medical practitioners have criticised the practice, saying that it causes bruises and results in broken blood vessels.
*Horrific bruises on the back of a practitioner inflicted with slaps
The court heard that Mrs Carr-Gomm had provided a testimonial for Xiao, describing him as a ‘messenger sent by God’ who was ‘starting a revolution to put the power back in the hands of the people to cure themselves and to change the whole system of health care’.
Mrs Carr-Gomm was born in France and moved to the UK aged 21.
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.
Giving evidence during the trial, Xiao said he would ‘never’ persuade someone who needed insulin not to take it, adding that insulin is ‘useful’.
On his attitude towards medication at his workshops, he added: ‘First of all, I said I’m not a medical doctor, so everyone is responsible for their own medication. Secondly, I’m not fully against medicine, what I’m concerned about is the side effect of the medicine.’
Xiao claimed slap therapy could cure people from immune diseases such as diabetes , arthritis and even cancer and autism.
*Red marks inflicted from slaps of another paida lajin devotee
Detective Chief Inspector Phil Walker, of the Major Crime Investigation Team at Wiltshire Police, said: ‘This has been an extremely complex investigation, with nearly eight years having passed since Danielle’s sad death.
‘This passage of time, which has been out of our control, has of course added further challenges and complications to the investigation, but I am pleased that a custodial sentence has now been given to Xiao.
‘He had no medical qualifications yet, despite this, was actively encouraging those in attendance at his workshops to refrain from taking their regular medication, knowing full well the consequences.
‘Xiao’s not-guilty plea has only shown the little remorse he has over Danielle’s death and has made an already extremely difficult and upsetting process for Danielle’s family even more prolonged and distressing.
*Another devotee shows off lesions after a healing process of Paida Lajin
‘Danielle was a mother and a grandmother who enjoyed life and had a love of travelling – her death came as a huge shock to her family and friends and our thoughts are very much with them at this time.’
Wiltshire Police’s Detective Constable Dave Topp said Mrs Carr-Gomm had ‘put her trust’ in the ‘extremely convincing’ Hongchi Xiao.
Speaking outside Winchester Crown Court in July, he said: ‘Xiao had no medical qualifications or experience but claimed to be a self-professed master in paida lajin – an ancient Chinese method for self-healing which involves slapping and stretching techniques to cure conditions such as diabetes.
‘However Danielle’s health deteriorated whilst in the care of Xiao and she sadly died. A major investigation launched into her death and Xiao was arrested.’
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