A man in the US allegedly waterboarded his four-year-old daughter because she was unable to recite the alphabet.

The Daily Mail reports Joshua Tabor admitted using the CIA torture technique because his daughter was terrified of water.

Tabor, a soldier in Tacoma, Washington, told police he submerged his daughter's face three or four times as she 'squirmed' to free herself.

He was arrested after being spotted walking around his neighbourhood in a military helmet.

The alleged waterboarding was discovered when police went to his home and spoke to his girlfriend who reported the incident.

According to the Daily Mail, Tabor's frightened daughter was found hiding in a closet with bruising on her back and scratch marks on her throat.

When asked how she received her injuries the girl replied: "Daddy did it".

President Barack Obama has outlawed the practice of waterboarding, previously used by the CIA to break terror suspects.

Tabor has been charged with assault and ordered to appear in court this week - his daughter has been taken into care.