Nguyễn Trung Huyên, 30, is accused of murdering three-year-old Đỗ Ngọc Ánh. — Photo tienphong.vn

HÀ NỘI — A man accused of the horrific abuse and murder of a three-year-old girl will appear in court next week.

Nguyễn Trung Huyên, 30, is being prosecuted by the Hà Nội People's Procuracy for murder and intentionally inflicting injury on Đỗ Ngọc Ánh, the daughter of his girlfriend.

Huyên is alleged to have hammered nails into the little girl’s skull which eventually caused her death.

He is also accused of torturing the child by making her drink tea laced with pesticide, putting industrial glue inside her nostrils, forcing her to swallow screws and beating her so badly she broke her arm.

Police say Huyên repeatedly tried to kill the child because he was annoyed with her behaviour and he wanted her out of his life so he wouldn’t have to care for her anymore.

The abuse began in September 2021 when Huyên moved into the home of his partner.

While she was at work, Huyên is alleged to have begun the abuse, first stealing industrial strength glue and inserting it into her nostrils.

A few days later, the child was having trouble breathing and was admitted to Thạch Thất General Hospital where a doctor removed foreign objects from her nose.

In October 2021 the child was back in hospital, this time after vomiting at home. Police say Huyên had given the child a bottle of lemon tea as a treat, but he had mixed pesticide into the drink.

She was released from hospital but the following month complained of pains in her mouth and after an x-ray it was discovered she had a screw in her digestive system.

Police say Huyên had forced the child to swallow two screws.

In December the toddler was again back in hospital, this time with a broken arm, which Huyên is alleged to have caused while beating her.

The following month the child felt dizzy and had difficulties standing, so was taken to Thạch Thất General Hospital's Emergency Department where she eventually went into a coma.

X-ray and CT scan results revealed the baby had nine nails piercing her skull so deep, they had reached tissue of her brain.

She eventually died on March 12.

After a thorough police investigation, Huyên was charged with murder and a first instance trial begins on October 13.

Police say no action will be taken against the child’s mother who, they say, appeared to have no knowledge of the abuse. — VNS