K Thom Governor’s Son Sentenced for Robbery

The son of Kompong Thom provincial Governor Nam Tum was sentenced to 14 years in pri­son and an accomplice to five years for robbing a gold shop in Bat­tam­bang town, Battambang pro­vincial court officials said.

Tum Sokhom, 25, was convicted of robbery and using an illegal weapon while his accomplice, Roth Thyrik, 22, was convicted of driving the car, Pech Chho­eut, provincial deputy court director said Wednesday The men must pay a total of $1,500 in compensation to the shop owners.

Tum Sokhom was arrested May 21 for his role in an April 27 crime spree that began when four men brandishing AK-47 rifles and K-57 handguns shot and killed a man in Siem Reap province and stole his car. The four drove to Battambang and held up the gold shop, taking some cash and 1.5 kg of gold, valued at about $18,500.

Tum Sokhom and Roth Thyrik were convicted only on charges relating to the heist, to which Tum Sokhom had confessed.

Pech Chhoeut said neither suspect was responsible for the killing.“The case was easy to decide because Tum Sokhom admitted everything,” he said.

The two other suspects are still at large. Nam Tum said he would not appeal the court’s decision. He said he had not visited his son since the arrest.

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