Kampong Speu man’s death puzzles police

A Kampong Speu man found dead in a rice paddy on Wednesday was most likely the victim of foul play, local police said. A boy made the unpleasant discovery in Phnom Sroch district and reported the corpse to the local plod, who found it to be a local 47-year-old man who had been missing for one day. His mother said his last known whereabouts was the rice field. Police are now on the search for suspects. Kampuchea Thmey

Phnom Penh punks badly beat schoolmate

Even leaving the school grounds was no respite for one beleaguered Toul Kork student, who was cornered by schoolyard bullies on the streets of the Phnom Penh district and savagely beaten on Tuesday. Police were called in to stop the young thugs but arrived just in time to send the ailing lad to hospital. The young yahoos escaped to bully another day, but police say they will question the victim as to their identities. Koh Santepheap

Fires of marital strife cost family their house

A 29-year-old hot-head set fire to his own house after coming home from a drinking session and abusing his wife for not having dinner waiting for him. The boozed blockhead returned from his latest bill-dipping in Kandal’s Sa’ang district on Tuesday and attacked his family before setting their house alight. Police came to arrest the frenzied fire-starter and he, in turn, complained that his wife played cards too much instead of taking care of the family. Kampuchea Thmey

Bathing Battambang man gets cleaned out

An evening bath presented a Battambang burglar with a watertight distraction for him to go thieving. The robbery victim told authorities he was relaxing in the bath after work when a burglar entered and knicked his laptop. He also admitted he had forgotten to lock the door. The lapse in judgment didn’t matter in the end, as police nabbed the thief while he was in the process of selling the stolen hardware. The 22-year-old crook admitted to regularly robbing because of rent difficulties. Rasmey Kampuchea

Cattle gets rustled, then rescued, then returned

Villagers in Kratie’s Snoul district were presumably relieved on Wednesday when police returned seven missing buffaloes, and put the trio of culprits responsible for their theft behind bars. Police said they spent several days investigating before pouncing just as the thieves were about to sell the buffaloes in question. All seven beasts were reunited with their owners and the rustlers have been sent to court. Koh Santepheap

Translated by Sen David