TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Taichung District Court sentenced a 35-year-old man to seven years and five months in prison for stabbing a police officer while he was escorting the man’s ex-girlfriend home on Christmas after she applied for a protection order.

The offender, surnamed Peng (彭), also received an additional six-month sentence for property damage, which can be converted to a fine, according to UDN and TVBS.

Prosecutors said Peng was upset after his ex-girlfriend, surnamed Lee (李), ended their relationship. In the early hours of Dec. 25, Peng broke into Lee’s home and damaged a sofa, bed, TV cabinet, and dressing table with a knife.

After discovering the break-in, Lee and her boyfriend, surnamed Hung (洪), went to the police station to file a report and request a protection order. Two officers accompanied them back to her residence as a precaution.

Security footage showed Peng ambushing Lee, Hung, and the accompanying officers with a 33-cm-long knife the moment they stepped inside Lee's home, injuring all four. One officer, 33-year-old Chen (陳), sustained three knife wounds to the chest and abdomen.

During the trial, Peng admitted to breaking into the home, causing property damage, and injuring others but denied intending to kill. He claimed he accidentally injured Chen while trying to disarm him.

The court found Peng’s attacks were deliberate, noting that two of the stab wounds were to the officer’s chest and abdomen and could not have occurred accidentally. The judge concluded that Peng’s actions posed a threat to law enforcement and public safety.

The case is eligible for appeal.