A 24-year-old man was sentenced to death on Tuesday in Henan province for a knife attack that left three people dead and 16 injured.

Zhou Jiangbo, from the province's Neihuang county, was convicted of intentional homicide and “endangering public security by using dangerous means”, according to the Anyang City Intermediate People's Court.

Prosecutors said that on Aug 18, Zhou injured three neighbors at home with a shovel after a dispute and then fled. The next day, Zhou bought two knives and a steel bar as he planned a killing spree at Anyang public venues such as bus stations and hospitals.

After then boarding a bus, Zhou tried to grab the steering wheel while the bus was moving, causing the vehicle to collide with a truck, the court heard.

Zhou then stabbed the bus driver, ticket seller and some passengers, leaving three dead and four seriously injured. Twelve others suffered slight or minor injuries.

The dead included a 10-month-old girl and a 10-year-old boy.

Police arrested Zhou on Aug 20.