The Kandal Provincial Court charged a 33-year-old rice farmer on Wednesday with the rape of a 4-year-old girl, his neighbor, who had been playing with his children at his mother’s house in Kien Svay district, an official said.
Vorng Se, deputy district police chief, said Phorn Ath of Chhoeuteal commune raped the girl at his mother’s home at about 3.40 p.m. on Monday.
The girl, who lived nearby, had been playing there with the suspect’s children earlier that day, although the pair was alone when the crime occurred, Mr. Se said.
The suspect was arrested at his home at 1 a.m. on Tuesday, hours after the victim’s mother filed a complaint with police, Mr. Se added.
He said Mr. Ath denied the allegation during questioning at the district police station.
“He did not confess. He said he didn’t do anything to the child,” Mr. Se said.
A commune doctor who examined the girl confirmed the rape to her family, he added.
Court spokesman So Sarin said the suspect was charged with aggravated rape and sent to the provincial prison on Wednesday.
