Father sexually abused stepdaughter and 'hacked off' her hair, court hears

Victim, now 10 years old and living in foster care, left publicly humiliated by 'misguided' attempt by carer to combat lice, family court judge says

Judge Glenn Brasse said the man cut the girl's hair “very raggedly” (Rex)

A man sexually abused his partner's daughter and embarrassed her by “severely” cutting her hair, a family court judge has said.

Judge Glenn Brasse said the man cut the girl's hair “very raggedly” and short in a “misguided” bid to combat lice.

People who saw the youngster, now 10, said her hair appeared to have been “hacked” and said the haircut was “cruel”.

Details of the case have emerged in a written ruling published by Judge Brasse following a private family court hearing in Canterbury, Kent.

The judge has not identified the girl.

He said she was currently in a foster home and social services bosses wanted her to be taken into council care in the long term.

Judge Brasse said he had been asked to make fact-finding rulings.

The judge concluded that the man had sexually abused the girl and “severely” cut her hair in a “misguided” attempt to combat lice.

He said decisions on the youngster's long-term future had yet to be made.

The judge said police were involved.

PA