Molesting mentally disabled girl, 'blue beard' gets 3.6 years in prison

On January 25, Nam Dan District People's Court opened a trial for defendant Nguyen Thanh An (born 1961), residing in Nam Dan town, Nam Dan district, for the crime of Child Molestation.

According to the indictment, on July 14, 2017, An used his hand to touch the private area of ​​NQA (10 years old, mentally disabled) at Nam Dan District General Hospital.

According to the indictment, on the afternoon of July 14, 2017, while bathing her child, the child's mother discovered signs of injury to her child's genitals, so she inquired and learned of the heartbreaking incident. Out of anger, she filed a complaint with the authorities.

After the investigation, in September 2017, Nam Dan District Police initiated a case and prosecuted Nguyen Thanh An for child molestation. The results of the sexual forensic examination showed that there were scratches on the victim's vulva.

At the trial, defendant Nguyen Thanh An steadfastly denied molesting the child.

The panel of judges held that although at the investigation agency and at the trial the defendant did not admit to the crime, through the available evidence and the questioning of witnesses and the victim, there was sufficient basis to affirm that the defendant Nguyen Thanh An committed the crime of Child Molestation.

The defendant’s criminal acts were extremely serious, infringing upon the honor, dignity and health of the child. After consideration, the panel sentenced defendant Nguyen Thanh An to 3 years and 6 months in prison; in civil matters, the defendant was ordered to pay 21.1 million VND in compensation to the victim.