STUDENT, FEARING GANG, PACKS CLEAVER

Police detained and questioned an 18-year-old student after they found a cleaver hidden inside his briefcase on Monday in Phnom Penh’s Tuol Kork district. The student confessed to carrying the weapon, saying that he needed it for protection from a gang of students who had injured him in an attack several days ago. Police “educated” him and asked his parents to sign a contract saying they would make sure he stopped carrying weapons.

KAMPUCHEA THMEY

NOT SO CLEAVER CLEAVER CRIME

Phnom Penh Municipal Court on Monday sentenced a man to six years in jail after finding him guilty of attempted robbery in Phnom Penh’s Russey Keo district in January 2007. The defendant attempted to rob a taxi driver with a cleaver when he could not afford the price of a trip. The driver shouted for help, prompting police to come to the scene and arrest the 26-year-old. Police said the man had confessed to the robbery attempt.

DEUM AMPIL

BABY GIRL SURVIVES CLEAVER RAGE

A 26-year-old man is on the run from authorities after allegedly chopping a one-year-old girl in the leg with a cleaver on Friday night in Kampong Speu’s Kong Pisey district. According to police, the accused was drinking with the girl’s father when an argument started and he attempted to attack the mother, who was breastfeeding the victim. The mother ducked the attack, but the girl was wounded. The young victim was rushed to hospital in Phnom Penh. She suffered severe cuts to her leg.

DEUM AMPIL

MEN RELEASED IN SHOOTING OF WORKER

A police officer and a bodyguard were arrested and held for one night after they allegedly shot a 23-year-old construction worker in Phnom Penh’s Dangkor district. Witnesses said the two accused men chased and shot the victim in the stomach, seriously injuring him. The two men tried to evade arrest but were ultimately caught by Military Police. After one night in custody, they paid US$125 in compensation to the victim before being released.

DEUM AMPIL