Thomas Wei Huang, a 17-year-old Malaysian student, has been publicly named for the first time after being sentenced for attempting to murder two classmates and a teacher at Blundell’s School, a £45,000-a-year boarding school in Devon. Huang, who was recently sentenced to life with a minimum term of 12 years, attacked two sleeping students and a housemaster with claw hammers he had collected in preparation for what he described as a “zombie apocalypse.”
The attack took place in the early hours of June 9 last year. Wearing only boxer shorts, Huang armed himself with three hammers and attacked his two sleeping classmates in their dormitory before turning on the housemaster, Henry Roffe-Silvester, who had come to investigate the disturbance. Both students suffered severe injuries, including skull fractures, and internal bleeding, and one student sustained permanent brain damage. Mr. Roffe-Silvester received six blows to the head but made a full recovery.
In court, Huang claimed he was sleepwalking during the attack, but a jury at Exeter Crown Court rejected his defence, finding him guilty of three counts of attempted murder. Evidence presented during the trial revealed Huang’s fascination with serial killers, violence, and hammers as weapons. He had reportedly researched high-profile murders and had developed an obsession with one of his victims, fueled by a minor classroom dispute and personal tensions over a female classmate.
The court heard that moments before the attack, Huang listened to “Light It Up” by Robin Hustin to “gee himself up” and heighten his adrenaline. Prosecutors described Huang’s state as a “killing rage.” Despite his claims of sleepwalking, medical experts provided conflicting views, with one expert suggesting it was a “textbook example of sleepwalking violence,” while another doubted the plausibility of sleep-induced aggression.
The judge, Mrs. Justice Cutts, imposed a life sentence, citing Huang’s intelligence and capacity to understand the consequences of his actions. She highlighted the significant risk he posed to the public, given his calculated approach and lack of remorse. “You knew full well if you hit the boys multiple times with the hammers they would die,” she stated.
Huang, who has since been diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder, expressed regret during the trial, stating, “I feel very terribly sorry for all three individuals because of what I did to them.” His defence argued that Huang was under extreme stress from exams, personal difficulties, and an unhealthy interest in violent films. His legal team also revealed he was a victim of “sextortion,” in which he was blackmailed over personal photos.
Blundell’s School headmaster Bart Wielenga praised the resilience of the school community and reassured parents, staff, and students of continued support. “This is not an incident we whisper about or have to be ashamed of,” he wrote to his parents, emphasizing that it is “part of our narrative, our shared story.”
The families of the victims expressed gratitude for the support received, hoping for continued recovery and healing. Detective Inspector Dave Egan, who led the investigation, described the attack as “brutal and savage,” asserting that Huang’s intent was clearly to kill.
This case has brought a tragic chapter to Blundell’s School, one that will remain as a reminder of resilience within the school community.
