A 35-year-old man was charged yesterday at Takeo Provincial Court on allegations that he attempted to burn his mother alive, according to officials. Sok Sochea, acting Tram Kak district police chief, said his forces arrested Yem Phanny on Monday following accusations that he had tied up his mother, poured gasoline on the walls of their wooden home and threatened to set her alight.

According to a complaint filed by the mother, 57-year-old Prom Oun, and elder brother Yem Phanna, Phanny demanded Phanna’s motorbike and $37.50 in cash “or he would burn the house and kill her”.

Yong Nhiv, a senior officer in Takeo’s judicial police, said Phanny was charged yesterday with using violence and sent to pre-trial detention. Phanny confessed to the allegations, but said that he had no intention of actually setting his mother alight.