Last May, when an ex-employee at a Shekou restaurant attacked a worker there, John Michel Goulston stepped in. As his five-year-old son watched on, the French citizen subdued the knife-wielding attacker while receiving wounds on his head, back and arm.
After going through a three-hour surgery at a Nanshan hospital, he was rewarded for his bravery with a commendation and award presented in person by the district chief of police.
Goulston in the hospital
Now, only eight months later, Goulston's attacker has already been released from prison, Shekou Daily reports.
The man, whose surname is Zhou, had originally lashed out at restaurant employees after being fired for showing up drunk. After Goulston intervened, Zhou went out, bought a fruit knife and returned to attack the Frenchman.
READ MORE: Stabbed Frenchman Told Attacker 'Don't Do Anything Stupid'
Two men help subdue the attacker
In an interview with Shekou Daily, Goulston commented:
"It's unbelievable to me to hear that he's received such a short sentence. The police performed an amazing job capturing the suspect while also quickly rushing me to the hospital. If not for them, I may be dead. The city gave me the finest medical treatment and government officials showed me much respect; for which I am eternally grateful. This outcome, however, is outrageous."
Zhou originally pleaded guilty to intentional injury and was given an eight-month jail sentence. The maximum penalty in China for the crime is no more than three years, while "serious injury" can merit three to 10 years. City prosecutors had originally pushed for a one-year prison term for Zhou.
Goulston, who has lived in Shenzhen since 2010, said he was neither offered a lawyer nor notified of a five-day window to appeal the sentence.
[Cover image via Shekou Daily]
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