A Vietnamese man in the south-central province of Phu Yen has been sentenced to life in prison for murdering and robbing a motorbike taxi driver earlier this year.

The provincial People’s Court carried out the trial of Phan Ai Duong, 31, who hails from the south-central province of Binh Dinh, on Thursday.

Duong was sentenced to life in prison for murder and robbery and was also required to pay the victim’s family VND200 million (US$8,600) in compensation.

According to the indictment, Duong moved to Son Hoa District, Phu Yen Province for work in April and became acquainted with N.A.V., a local ‘xe om’ driver.

As V. used an expensive motorcycle to taxi passengers and often wore a gold necklace, Duong targeted him so that he could steal the valuables and pay off his debts.

On May 10, Duong asked the motorbike taxi driver to take him to a destination near the Ba Ha River hydroelectric dam, where he planned to rob the victim.

However, he changed his mind and told V. to take him home.

The next day, Duong once again had V. pick him up. 

This time, V. took him to a local shop were Duong bought a 70-centimeter-long iron rod. 

Afterward, Duong had V. take him to a plantation near the hydroelectric dam.

Upon arrival, Duong began battering V.’s head with the iron stick he had just purchased before taking his golden necklace and running away on the victim’s motorbike.

He threw away the murder weapon and removed the license plate number as he went to Krong Pa District in the Central Highlands province of Gia Lai, about 45 kilometers away.

Duong sold the necklace for VND7.1 million ($305) and disposed of the motorbike to cover his tracks.

The murderer caught a coach to Hanoi and stayed in the northern province of Lang Son until his arrest on May 17.

The indictment also showed that V. was not dead following the attack.

He managed to the reach the main road before losing consciousness.

The victim was found and taken to the hospital by local residents but succumbed to the wounds on May 16.

Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam!