Rape case

Phnom Penh Municipal Court sentenced a 15-year-old student to three years in prison yesterday for the rape of a 14-year-old girl in the capital in January, court officials said yesterday.

Municipal Court Judge Ker Sakhorn said that Chhum Davoan was arrested on January 20 at his house in Tuol Kork district, after the girl’s parents filed a complaint alleging that he had raped their daughter on January 17.

“It is decided to sentence him to three years in jail and 1 million riel (about US$245) in compensation for the victim,” he said, adding that Chhum Davoan could appeal the verdict within a month.

Chhum Davoan denied the charges yesterday. “I did not forcibly rape her,” he said. “We were boyfriend and girlfriend and we loved each other. We both agreed to have sex with each other.”

Chhum Davoan’s father, Chhum Khun, said yesterday that his son and the girl were friends and had loved each other for years.

“I think that his sentence is a little high because he is still young and he had not raped the victim,” he said. “I will appeal the verdict for him.”