A 71-year-old woman died after stopping taking insulin at a workshop taught by an alternative healer.
Danielle Carr-Gomm was left “howling in pain” before dying at Cleeve House in Seend, Wiltshire, where she was attending the event in October 2016.
The workshop promoted Paida Lajin therapy, where patients are slapped or hit repeatedly.
Hongchi Xiao, of Cloudbreak, California, is on trial at Winchester Crown Court, charged with manslaughter by gross negligence of Mrs Carr-Gomm, of Lewes, East Sussex.
He denies the accusation.
Duncan Atkinson KC, prosecuting, told the jury that Ms Carr-Gomm had sought alternatives to her insulin medication for type 1 diabetes because of her vegetarianism and fear of needles.
Atkinson said the 30 people who attended the workshop at Cleeve House were “enthusiastic disciples” of the defendant, who was described as “Master Xiao” in the event programme.
He said workshop participants signed a disclaimer stating that the practice was “not intended for medical treatment” and fasted for several days, consuming only Chinese tea.
The prosecutor said Carr-Gomm announced she had stopped taking insulin on Monday, October 17, for which Xiao “congratulated” her.
Atkinson described how one of the participants saw how Ms. Carr-Gomm, on Tuesday, “was vomiting”, and said on Wednesday that Ms. Carr-Gomm did not attend the workshop and was seen as “vomiting, tired it is weak”.
He added that she was also “crying in bed and howling in pain.”
‘Slap’ heard coming from the room
Atkinson said her condition worsened in the early hours of Thursday and she died.
He added: “While she was conscious, she could have received medical care, including administration of insulin, and this would have saved her.
“No one was in a better position than the defendant, the prosecution says, to ensure this happened.”
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He said the “Paida-like slapping” sound was heard coming from her room on Wednesday night while the defendant was with her.
Charles Row KC, defending Xiao, told the jury the defendant denied having a duty of care to Ms Carr-Gomm, who he made “absolutely clear” had no medical training.
He also told the court that Xiao had told Ms Carr-Comm not to suddenly stop taking insulin and claimed his actions were not the cause of Ms Carr-Gomm’s death.
The trial continues.
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