A Kandal province man was arrested twice in one night after he allegedly beat a deputy commune police chief with a stick then tried to escape, police said yesterday.

Koh Thom district police chief Chheoun Bunchhaon said Uch Rith, 23, was found drunk and walking on the road at night brandishing a saber and frightening residents and other travellers.

He said Dounkam village chief Chheang Chheng had apprehended the sword-swishing Rith and took him to the commune police station to sober him up and “educate” him.

However, in an attempt to escape, the suspect picked up a wooden stick and began striking Kampong Kong commune deputy police chief Ngon Nany on his arm and mouth.

The injuries Nany received appeared serious, Bunchhaon said, with Rith allegedly breaking several of the official’s teeth during the beating. Bunchhaon said Rith was then apprehended by another officer, and placed under arrest again.

“Right now, the suspect has been accused of intentional acts of violence against the police officer, and we plan to send him to the provincial court on Friday morning,” Bunchhaon said.

If found guilty of charges of intentional violence under Article 217 of the Criminal Code, Rith faces a jail sentence of between one and three years and a fine of between 2 million and 6 million riel (about $500 to $1,500).