Takeo Provincial Court charged a 35-year-old man for the rapes of four young girls July 17 after he was allegedly caught raping a 6-year-old girl in Koh Andet district on July 15, police said.
Phan Thet was spotted by a villager in Keo Kamphloeung village in Prey Khla commune on July 15 as he allegedly raped his 6-year-old neighbor in a secluded area, said Em Vorn, district police chief. The witness notified the girl’s mother who then went to the police, he added.
After his arrest the same day, Phan Thet confessed to raping the child and three more girls this month, all under 10 years old, who are daughters of his cousin, Em Vorn said. “The suspect lured the young victims to a secluded area for sex,” he said, adding that the suspect was sent to provincial court July 17. “It was a cruel act on young girls,” he added.
Chey Sophal, the provincial court’s prosecutor, confirmed that Phan Thet was charged with rape, adding that he is being detained at the provincial prison.
Chey Sophal said the court takes legal action when it receives reports of rape, but many attacks go unreported and end in a compromise between the two parties.
“Compensation will be paid when the victim is too shy to report the case [to police],” he said.
