The Siem Reap provincial prosecutor on Saturday charged a woman at the provincial prison for spraying petrol on a nine-year-old boy and setting him alight, saying he tried to steal 10,000 riel ($2.50) from her.

The incident occurred on Friday in Kok Knaing village in Puok district’s Roeul commune.

“The judge charged the suspect for an intentional act of violence and detained her in provincial prison,” Siem Reap Provincial Court spokesman Yin Srang said.

Hong Sopha Phearum, Siem Reap provincial police’s minor crimes office head, told The Post on Sunday that the suspect was identified as Taem Moeut, 39.

“Judge Chhe Virak charged the suspect with intentional violence with aggravating circumstances according to Article 513 of the Criminal Code,” Sopha Phearum said.

If found guilty, the suspect faces from two to five years in prison and a fine of four to 10 million riel.

Puok district police chief Tep Pumsen told The Post on Sunday that the suspect and victim resided in the same village.

The suspect, Moeut, is a grocery vendor, he said, adding that the boy tried to sneak into her shop and steal 10,000 riel.

Moeut caught him, Pumsen said, and immediately grabbed a bottle of petrol, dousing the boy. After that, she allegedly used a lighter to set the petrol alight.

Pumsen added that after the incident, the suspect fled the crime scene, but police found her and arrested her a few hours later.

“The boy was burnt on his chest, arm, left cheek and the side of his body, but his condition is improving,” he said.