The Preah Sihanouk provincial court began proceedings yesterday in the case of a 50-year-old French national accused of purchasing child prostitut-ion and having sexual intercourse with a girl under the age of 15.

Juan Ordonez Camacho was charged in January after he was arrested at his guesthouse in Preah Sihanouk province by anti-human trafficking and juvenile protection police.

The arrest was prompted by complaints made to police by a 13-year-old girl and her family.

The victim alleged she had accompanied Camacho on a trip to Vietnam last year, during which he sexually abused her for the first time.

She claimed that after their return to her village, Camacho had continued to abuse her and bribed her in an attempt to keep her silent.

Noun Phanith, an attorney for the victim, said her client was seeking US$10,000 in compensation from the suspect.

“According to the sentencing pro-cess, I believe the court should try to provide justice based on my client’s request [concerning compensation], as well as handing down a prison sentence,” Noun Phanith said.

Chheang Sophoan, a lawyer for  Camacho, could not be reached for comment yesterday.

The judge said that he would announce the verdict in the case next Tuesday.