The son of Siem Reap provincial prison director Chhem Savuth was sent to prison on Saturday, after allegedly assaulting and threatening to kill a female police officer who stopped him for a traffic infraction.

According to Chim Sovann, chief of Siem Reap provincial traffic police, suspect Lem Snekomnit was reportedly riding a motorbike without a helmet when traffic police officer Touch Mom attempted to pull him over.

“Because he tried to escape and drive down the road that Touch Mom was on, Touch Mom tried to stop his motorbike by stepping in front of [it],” Sovann said.

“After that, he stepped off of his vehicle and hit her two times.”

Snekomnit then reportedly left the scene with his wife aboard, only to allegedly return alone later and threaten to mow the officer down in his car unless she apologised to him.

“Minor crimes officers questioned Lem Snekomnit on Saturday and accused him of intentional violence and insulting a police officer in public, and shortly after that they sent him to the court,” Sovann said.

“After interrogation at the court, he was sent to prison on the same day.”

Kert Vanna Reth, a prosecutor at the Siem Reap Provincial Court, could not be reached yesterday for comment on what action the court plans to take.