A man was allegedly beaten to death by a neighbour in Battambang province on Monday because of a longstanding dispute and some broken crockery, police said yesterday.

Vin Chan, 42, who allegedly attacked Ron Roeun, 55, with a stick, leading to his death, was arrested the following day for murder in Bavel district, according to district police chief Eurm Teok.

“We arrested the suspect at 10am on Tuesday, and he told us he had killed the victim because Roeun had repeated an accusation he had made before, accusing the suspect of stealing some wood from him some time ago,” Teok said.

“He was also angry because the victim had apparently broken some of the suspect’s plates and glasses.”

The alleged killer and his victim had been drinking together at the suspect’s house on Monday evening when the crockery was broken, and Roeun went home around 8pm, Toek added.

But angered by the wood theft accusation and smashed household goods, Chan followed him and beat him, causing fatal head injuries.

The suspect is due to appear in court today.