A Hong Kong warehouse worker has been sentenced to four years in prison for attempting to kill his 90-year-old father in a failed murder-suicide bid two years ago.

The High Court on Wednesday ruled that the sentence given to Au Chi-ming was appropriate, balancing society’s condemnation of such crimes, the need to deter similar acts, and the “tragic” circumstances of the case.

The court heard that Au, the sole carer for his father, had accumulated more than HK$250,000 (US$32,100) in credit card debts and had not paid rent for three months before the incident.

His father, Au Pong-keung, had told the accused that he did not wish to live long, although he was unaware of the suicide attempt.

The defendant’s elder sister discovered a strong smell of smoke from the pair’s bedroom at around 12.30pm.