A TYCOON’S son who allegedly beat a toll booth attendant before threatening to shoot him over a 1,100 riel road fee (US$0.27) has been released by police, after paying $4,000 to the complainant.

Pao David, the 23-year-old son of tycoon Khy Pao, was arrested last Tuesday after allegedly beating Pin Ratana with a metal pole and a car wrench in Phnom Penh’s Sen Sok district.

Tycoon Sok Touth, general director of the Road JV Company which operates the toll booth near Northbridge International School, said he had withdrawn a lawsuit filed on behalf of Pin Ratana after Pao David paid his employee compensation.

“Although we have now ended the case and have withdrawn the lawsuit against him, the next action against him depends on the prosecutor,” he said.

Last week, Pin Ratana said he was beaten after he asked Pao David to pay when the car he was a passenger in drove through a toll area.  

Mok Hong, chief of Sen Sok District Police, confirmed yesterday that Pao David was released from custody last Friday.

“There was facilitation between the two parties ending the case and the victim withdrew his lawsuit against him. He [Pao David] also paid $ 4,000 to the victim,” he said.  

Pao David, Pin Ratana and Phnom Penh Municipal Court prosecutor, Yeth Chakrya, could not be reached for comment yesterday.