The Foshan intermediate people's court has upheld a ruling that found a Guangdong woman had acted in self-defense when she chased down a motorcycle ridden by three men who had assaulted her and stolen a large sum of money, killing one and injuring the others, according to a report from China Central Television on Monday.

The court's decision also upholds prison sentences of 12 and 11 years for the two injured offenders. They had appealed the results of the first instance trial, delivered by the people's court of Shunde district.

According to the CCTV report, Rong, 37, had been exiting a parking garage when three men ambushed her. They smashed open her car window, pulled her hair, and took the opportunity to snatch a handbag from the passenger seat, which contained more than 80,000 yuan ($11,640) in cash and related payment receipts. Afterward, the three assailants fled on a motorcycle.

Thinking quickly, Rong pursued her attackers with her vehicle. She collided with the motorcycle, resulting in one robber's immediate death and two others being injured.

When explaining the situation to the police, Rong stated that her intention was only to knock down the motorcycle and retrieve her handbag, with no intention of injuring anyone. She cooperated with the police investigation and apologized for the casualties.

The district court deemed Rong's actions to be legitimate self-defense, and she bore no criminal responsibility according to the law. The two surviving attackers received prison sentences. Dissatisfied with the verdict, they appealed to the Foshan intermediate people's court.

After a comprehensive review to ascertain the facts of the case and verify the evidence, the Foshan court rejected their appeal and upheld the original verdict.

The court held that since the robbers had not yet escaped the victim's line of sight after committing the robbery, the robbery was still in progress. Rong's defensive actions to recover her legitimate property losses were in accordance with the provisions on justifiable defense under the law, and she should bear no criminal responsibility.