Puppy love

The Phnom Penh Municipal Court yesterday sentenced a 17-year-old to two years in prison after she was caught bringing her jailed boyfriend a package of drugs at Prey Sar prison last year.

Municipal Court judge Chhae Vireak, said the young woman – who was studying in grade 12 prior to her arrest – had been found guilty after she confessed to the crime of drug distribution.

“She would continue being detained in prison within legal procedures,” added Vireak.

The woman had visited her 20-year-old boyfriend – Chap Penh – last November, bringing him a cake box concealing a package of ya ma, or ice.

When Penh, who is serving a 12-year sentence for multiple robberies, returned to his cell, he brought the cake box with him.

Prison guards then searched him and found the package of drugs. They tipped off the police, who arrested the woman shortly after.

The woman and her defence lawyer could not be reached for comment yesterday, but at her hearing last month she had appealed to the court to be lenient.

“I recognise my mistake now,” she told the court at the time.

“I would like to ask the court reduced my punishment so that I will be released as soon as possible, and will able to return to the school in order to continue my studies.”