A 26-YEAR-OLD barber was charged with the rape of an underage girl in Stung Treng provincial court yesterday and has been held at the provincial prison for pre-trial detention, according to provincial prosecutor Chhreng Khmao.

Meang Young Hay, 26, was arrested on Monday morning at his barbershop in Stung Treng district’s Stung Treng town, after the victim’s family filed a complaint to police on February 14.

The victim’s mother said yesterday that she had filed the complaint to police and local rights group Adhoc, demanding 10 million riel (about US$2,500) in compensation from the offender in addition to punishing him through the legal system.

“The offender raped my daughter two times and threatened her not to tell anyone. He said to her if she told anyone he would kill me and my daughter,” she said.

The rapes occurred on January 30 and February 7, when he allegedly took the victim from the barbershop to his house.

Stung Treng provincial Adhoc monitor, Hou Sam Ol, said yesterday that three rape cases have been reported in Stung Treng province so far this year.