The Phnom Penh Municipal Court heard the case against a 53-year-old Australian man over allegations that he sexually abused six boys between 3 and 11 years of age from 2013 to 2014.

George Moussallie, who used to work as an English teacher, was charged with sexual intercourse with a minor under 15 years old and indecent acts against a minor under 15 years old after police raided his rental room last August and found two boys under 11 inside, said presiding judge Kor Vandy.

“Since 2013, the suspect George Moussallie has comforted many poor and street boys who were juveniles … and he brought them to visit and stay in his rental room where he would have sex with them,” said vice-prosecutor Top Chunlong.

The six boys are demanding compensation of $5,000 to $10,000 each, Vandy added.

Moussallie denied the boys’ allegations of sexual abuse but said he was acquainted with them and had brought them to his rental room. He also admitted to taking nude photos of the boys. A verdict is due on June 11.