A man and a woman were questioned at the Phnom Penh Municipal Court yesterday for allegedly conspiring over the rape of a minor in Tuol Kork district’s Teuk La’ak III commune last year.

Ty Vann, 21, and Long Thea, 42, were charged by the municipal court’s prosecutor as accomplices to the rape of a 15-year-old girl at a Phnom Penh guesthouse in September, said municipal court presiding judge Kor Vandy.

Lim Kimsay, 30, who was charged with rape, has evaded police since the incident, Vandy added.

According to Chamkarmon district police captain Pann Sopheap, Vann persuaded the victim to walk to a nearby pagoda but instead later brought her to Kimsay’s rental house in Stung Meanchey commune.

Kimsay reportedly drugged the victim’s drink and proceeded to rape her.

After the teen fell asleep, Kimsay asked Thea, who was a motodop, to bring them to the Sok San Guesthouse in Teuk La’ak III commune.

Vann confessed to the crime, adding that Kimsay promised to pay her $50 for her help, and asked for a reduced sentence.

Thea, however, denied his charges.

“Lim Kimsay paid me 10,000 riel [about $2.50] to bring him and the victim to the guesthouse. I thought they were boyfriend and girlfriend.”

Their verdicts will be handed down on June 29.

Police continue to search for Kimsay