A French national accused of sexually molesting five minors was sentenced yesterday in Siem Reap to one year in prison and ordered to pay 800,000 riel, or US$200, to each of the victims, in addition to a 2 million riel or US$500 fine.

Morin Marcel, 58, was found guilty of indecent acts against five minors under the age of 15, Judge Chhay Kong said.

Siem Reap provincial anti-human trafficking and juvenile protection official Doung Thavery said police had arrested Marcel on February 18 at a guest house in the Svay Dangkum Commune, based on evidence collected by the child-protection NGO Action Pour Les Enfants.

“He approached nine under-age boys during the night by buying them food, kissing and caressing their private parts, fondling their genitals and inviting them into his guest house,” Thavery said.

To contact the reporter on this story: Thik Kaliyann at [email protected]