Neighbor prosecuted for "sexual assault"

Chu Van Tan (born in 1968), residing in Chu Trac hamlet, Hoa Thanh commune, Yen Thanh district, has been charged and detained by the Yen Thanh District Police Investigation Agency for the crime of sexual abuse against a person under 16 years of age.

The suspect, Chu Van Tan. Photo: Thao Nguyen

Previously, at the end of September 2018, the Yen Thanh District Police received a complaint from Ms. Le Thi H (born in 1967), residing in Hoa Thanh commune, Yen Thanh district, accusing Chu Van Tan of raping his own daughter, Phan Thi T (born in 2003).

Upon receiving the complaint, the Yen Thanh District Police assigned the General Investigation Team to send investigators to verify and clarify the matter. After a period of intensive verification and working with the relevant individuals, the Yen Thanh District Police Investigation Department clarified that Chu Van Tan had committed acts of sexual abuse against Phan Thi T. multiple times.

According to Tan's testimony, he and the child's family were neighbors, and the child, T, would come to Tan's house to play every day. Taking advantage of the times when no one was home and knowing that T's relatives were not, Tan lured T into committing acts of sexual abuse. After each vile act, Tan threatened T that if she told anyone, she would be beaten. Therefore, T did not dare tell her relatives, and no one knew about it.

It is known that T has a very unfortunate situation; her father has passed away, and T lives with her mother. However, due to intellectual disability since childhood, T's health and cognitive abilities are not as good as those of other children her age.

According to the conclusions of the Nghe An Provincial Forensic Center, there were no external wounds on Phan Thi T's body, and her hymen was intact. The investigating agency is currently continuing to collect samples for DNA testing.