Attempted Rapist Knifed To Death

A 17-year-old hairdresser from Kompong Speu province was arrested on Monday night after knifing to death a mechanic while he allegedly attempted to rape her, police said Thursday.

The self-defense killing evoked praise from police and court officials alike, who released the teenage girl on bail on Wednes­day while they continue their investigations.

“I want and need all the girls to be brave like her,” Kompong Speu Provincial Judge Phong Samon said Thursday.

Nom Samnang, 24, worked as a mechanic near the beauty shop where Than Sokin cut hair in Odong market in Kompong Speu’s Odong district, Chea Vuth, deputy judicial provincial police chief, said Thursday.

Both were attending a festival in nearby Kandal province when Nom Samnang asked Than Sokin to come with him to his house to pick up ceremonial plates for the festival.

But instead of going home, Nom Samnang stopped his motorbike at a quiet place near a temple and attempted to rape her, tearing some of her clothes in the process, police said.

Than Sokin, who was carrying a knife, warned her attacker that she would stab him, Chea Vuth said. And when he rushed the 17-year-old again, she made good on her promise, he said.

Nom Samnang did not die immediately, and tried to get on his motorbike, police said.

Police later found the motorcycle and Nom Samnang’s body, with the knife still in it, about 18 meters from the attempted rape.

“If she didn’t kill the man she would’ve been raped and then killed later,” Chea Vuth said.

When police brought her back to the scene on Tuesday morning, an angry mob of Nom Sam­nang’s relatives tried to kill Than Sokin with knives and hoes, Chea Vuth said. Police escorted her to safety and offered her protection at her house.

“The girl was clever,” said pro­vin­cial court prosecutor Ven Yoeun. “She committed the crime involuntarily and she killed the human in order to protect herself.”

 

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