Man who raped 10-year-old girl in banana garden sentenced to life in prison

In a closed trial at the Hanoi People's Court on September 10, Trinh was sentenced to life in prison for the crime ofRape of a person under 16 years old.

According to the court, Trinh did not admit to the act, but documents and the victim's testimony determined that at noon on February 24, on his way home after selling pork, Trinh met a girl walking near the martyrs' cemetery in Hop Dong commune (Chuong My district), so he had bad intentions.

Trinh lied that he was an acquaintance of the child’s father to lure him into the car and take him home. After a distance of about 5 km, Trinh took the victim to a deserted banana garden, gagged her, and twisted her arms to commit the depraved act.

Trinh's rape caused the victim to have her third tooth broken, one-third of her right radius broken, and her private parts injured; her health was damaged by 9%. The girl suffered psychological trauma and had to be treated at the Child Counseling and Psychotherapy Office of the Department of Child Protection and Care.

Trinh has a 7-year prison sentence for the crime.Robbery, released from prison in April 2013. According to the court, the defendant had committed a serious crime, had his criminal record cleared less than a year ago, and then committed an especially serious crime, showing a disregard for the law. The defendant needs to be permanently isolated from society to have a sufficient educational effect; at the same time, it is a warning lesson for those who intend to commit similar crimes against children.

Initially, Trinh was prosecuted by Chuong My District Police for the crime.Obscene acts with people under 16 years old.However, the victim's family claimed that Trinh had committed rape and filed a complaint. The Hanoi Police Investigation Agency withdrew the case file from Chuong My District Police to conduct an extended investigation and prosecute Trinh for the crime.Rape of a person under 16 years old.