A former police officer at the Ministry of Interior was tried yesterday by Phnom Penh Municipal Court for allegedly raping a 20-year-old garment factory worker in August 2013.

Judge Keo Mony stated that Heng Paris, 34, “lured the victim to eat soup and sing karaoke with him in Phnom Penh”.

“During the karaoke, he forced her to drink beer until she got drunk. And when she got drunk, he brought her to a guest house and raped her,” Mony said.

Phath Phalla, deputy anti-human trafficking police chief for Phnom Penh, said Paris threatened the victim with a gun when they arrived at Moha Sambath Guesthouse in Tuol Kork district, and again once they reached the room, where he allegedly raped her.

Paris denied the accusation, saying he had consensual sex with the victim, who he claimed was his longtime girlfriend.

“She was my girlfriend, and we loved each other for two years,” he told the court.

A verdict is due on September 30.