Death penalty for knife killer

A CHINESE court has sentenced a butcher to death for murdering 12 people and injuring five on a six-day stabbing spree after he pleaded guilty, it was reported today.

Shi Yuejun, 35, launched his series of attacks in the northeastern province of Jilin in September against acquaintances he had "long-running disputes" with, the the reports said.

But he also killed a couple he had begged food from to stop them reporting him to police.