The Phnom Penh Municipal Court on Thursday heard the case of a former military officer who is accused of killing his estranged wife’s boyfriend after he came to her defence while having dinner at a Phnom Penh eatery.

The court heard that 39-year-old Kong Kosal stabbed 46-year-old Chinese national Song Qingjun after he went to Kong Sophara’s defence following an argument over having their children sit with him.

Men Eng, 56, who is Sophara’s mother, also sustained injuries during the rampage which occurred at the “Family” restaurant in Chamkarmon district’s Boeung Trabek commune in Phnom Penh on Christmas Eve last year.

Kosal was charged with premeditated murder under Article 200 of the Criminal Code. He faces life imprisonment.

His defence argued that he should instead be charged under Article 224 for aggravating circumstances in the death of the victim, which carries a jail term of between seven and 15 years.

An incident report detailing witness testimony said Kosal stabbed Qingjun 15 times. Sophara was injured in the hands and legs, and Eng in the left leg.

The suspect fled the scene and the victims were rushed to the Khmer-Soviet Friendship Hospital, where Qingjun succumbed to his injuries, the report said.

Court records said that at around 7:10pm on December 24, Kosal went to the restaurant, where Sophara was having dinner with Qingjun, Eng, and her children, when Kosal called his son and daughter over to sit with him.

Sophara refused to allow this which enraged Kosal.

He then took a knife from the table and stabbed her in the legs and body, inflicting serious injuries.

He also attacked Eng, his ex-mother-in-law. Qingjun was said to have rushed to stop Kosal only to be stabbed multiple times himself, the records said.

Kosal fled the scene, was arrested by police in Preah Vihear province’s Sangkum Thmyi district on January 3 and sent him to Phnom Penh, the records state.

Kosal admitted in court on Thursday to having stabbed Qingjun but said he did not intend to take the man’s life. “I ask the court to reduce my charge,” he said.

Prosecutor Kham Sophavy said Kosal had confessed to the crime when questioned by Judicial Police.

Sophavy said: “In the courtroom, he said he did not intend to kill the victim. This is an excuse. I would like to uphold the investigating judge’s charges under Article 200 of the Criminal Code [for premeditated murder]. ”

Qingjun’s defence lawyer Ith Chantha argued that Kosal had seriously injured his ex-wife and stabbed the love of his ex-wife’s life to death.

“I request the president of the trial chamber to uphold the investigating judge’s [premeditated murder] charge and demand $100,000 in compensation,” he said

Kosal’s defence lawyer told the court that his client had already admitted to losing control when Sophara refused to allow their children to join him for dinner.

“I request that my client not be charged with premeditated murder under Article 200 of the Criminal Code, but instead under Article 224 [for aggravating circumstances resulting in the death of the victim],” Eng Ratanak said.

Presiding Judge Pich Vicheathor said the verdict is to be announced next Friday.