Gay fitness instructor killed 18 month old daughter he called ‘Satan in a baby grow’, court told

A gay fitness instructor killed an 18 month old baby girl after adopting her, a court has been told.

Matthew Scully-Hicks, 31, is accused of inflicting serious injuries on baby Elsie before her death.

He called the baby “satan dressed up in a baby grow,” and inflicted months of abuse on the baby, a court heard.

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

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

Elsie died at University Hospital of Wales, Cardiff, after the decision was taken to turn off ventilators.

Doctors felt the one-year-old would not survive based on the head injuries she had incurred, with bleeding found on both sides of her brain.

After the tragic death police examined electronic devices belonging to Scully-Hicks.

The court heard that the 31-year-old messaged a friend to say, “I’m going through hell with Elsie” 12 days after adopting her.

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