Some say it takes a village to raise a child. In Phnom Penh’s Meanchey district, they say it takes a village to kick the stuffing out of burglars. And so it was on Wednesday when a group of villagers got their hands on a break-in artist in the capital neighbourhood.

Failing to escape after being spotted during a burglary attempt, the man was quickly subjected to a rain of punches, slaps and kicks. No doubt grateful to arriving police, the 35-year-old – now sporting two black eyes – quickly confessed. NOKORWAT