Abu Dhabi: A mother who tortured her daughter to death has been sentenced to 13 years in jail.

The Abu Dhabi Criminal Court of First Instance heard four-year-old Mariam lived a life of misery. Her mother admitted to beating Mariam severely and neglecting her. She left her at home alone with no food or water and put her in a garbage bin for prolonged periods.

Mariam’s father, who was charged with neglect, was sentenced to three years in prison.

Investigations showed the girl had suffered several fractures to her skull after being hit on the head. She had also been badly beaten.

Mariam was brought to the emergency department suffering from shortness of breath and severe vomiting. There were also signs of torture on her body. She died shortly after.

Mariam’s father said he had not interfered with the way his daughter was being brought up because he believed it was the mother’s responsibility.

"Abuse can happen to children of all ages, all races, across any socioeconomic background, and most often it occurs at home at the hands of the people closest to the child, such as parents, relatives, family friends or babysitters," Dr Ahmad Almai, consultant child psychiatrist at Shaikh Khalifa Medical City (SKMC), said.