The Court of Appeal in Phnom Penh yesterday heard the case of an English national previously sentenced to eight years in prison for sexually assaulting four young girls last year, though a final verdict has been delayed by the judge until September 17.

Michael Glyn Jones, 54, yesterday told the court that while he gave money and food to the four girls, street children aged 6 to 11 years old, he had never touched them in a sexual way.

“I admit that I touched the girls, but I did it in a fatherly way and had no bad intentions,” he said. “I tried to explain to the judge at the lower court, but he did not listen to me.

I ask the court to reduce my sentence to two or three years only.”

Jones was arrested by anti-human trafficking police in June of last year after complaints were filed by two of the girls’ mothers.

Sorn Sony, attorney for the victims, said the testimony of the four children was consistent with an earlier confession.

“He admitted his guilt, so I ask the counsel to uphold the verdict of the lower court,” she said.