Phnom Penh Municipal Court yesterday sentenced a 21-year-old man from Russei Keo district’s Phnom Penh Thmey commune to eight years in prison for the rape of a 15-year-old girl.

Municipal Court presiding judge Duch Kimsorn said that Leng Pich was arrested on September 9 at his house in Rong Chak village for allegedly raping his girlfriend repeatedly last year, following a complaint filed by the victim’s family.

Leng Pich yesterday denied the charges, claiming that the pair had agreed to have sex many times in guesthouses.

“We were boyfriend and girlfriend and we have loved each other,” he said. “We agreed to have sex with each other and I have not raped her.”

The Municipal Court yesterday also dropped charges against the former abbot of Wat Thala Borivath in Stung Treng province accused of raping a 23-year-old student in Phnom Penh in 2009.

Duch Kimsorn said yesterday that Men Tum, 39, and Khem Kanhary, 23, had known and loved each other since 2005 and agreed to have sex.

“According to witnesses and hearing, the court has found that Men Tum is not guilty as accused,” he said.

Men Tum was arrested on July 16 at his house in Stung Treng province’s Thala Borivath village after Khem Kanhary filed a complaint against him.