HCMC man jailed for raping 8-year-old neighbor girl

The HCMC People’s Court handed over the jail term to Nguyen Van Sinh, 44, on Wednesday, charging him with "rape of a person under 16".

The court also demanded him to compensate the victim’s family over VND23 million (US$905) for the "mental damage" he had caused.

According to the verdict, Sinh rented a room in a boarding house in Thu Duc City, where he lived with his wife and son.

On April 21 last year, the girl who also lived in the boarding house came to his room while he was home alone.

He raped her and then sent her home.

Two days later, the child told her father. The family reported Sinh.

At first, he admitted to the crime when questioned by police.

However, during the investigation and even in court, he repeatedly denied it, retracting his initial confession.

Police and the jury yet stated that all evidence and forensic results confirmed him as the perpetrator. The judge deemed his actions "especially serious," warranting a severe sentence.