Gay fitness instructor 'killed 18-month-old daughter he called "Satan in a baby grow" just two weeks after formally adopting her with his company director husband'

Matthew Scully-Hicks, 31, is accused of killing 18-month old adopted child Elsie

Cardiff Crown Court heard he left his fitness trainer job to be a stay-at-home dad

The girl died after months of assaults and abuse by Scully-Hicks, the court heard

Elsie was rushed to hospital after and doctors found evidence of older injuries

Decision was taken to take the girl off life support due to her severe head injuries

By STEWART PATERSON FOR MAILONLINE

PUBLISHED: 14:35 BST, 9 October 2017 | UPDATED: 22:05 BST, 9 October 2017

A stay-at-home father accused of murdering his adopted baby daughter referred to her as 'Satan dressed up in baby grow,' a court heard.

Matthew Scully-Hicks, 31, is accused of killing 18-month old Elsie after 'assaulting and abusing' her over several months.

The couple first adopted Elsie in September 2015 and the process was finalised nearly eight months later.

But less than two weeks later little Elsie died after suffering traumatic head injuries.

She died at University Hospital of Wales, Cardiff, after the decision was taken to switch off her ventilator when doctors decided she would not survive her traumatic head injuries.

After Elsie's tragic death police examined electronic devices owned by Matthew Scully-Hicks - including his iPad.

The court heard on September 22, 2015 - just 12 days after having Elsie - he sent a message to a friend saying: 'I'm going through hell with Elsie!

'Mealtimes and bedtime are like my worst nightmare at the moment.

'She's been up there screaming for 10 minutes non stop. She's just stopped but I doubt that's the last I'll hear tonight.'

That evening he also sent a message to husband Craig calling Elsie 'a psycho.'

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-4962982/Gay-father-killed-a...