Kandal province police yesterday morning arrested a man who allegedly raped a 50-year-old woman who is living with HIV.

At about 11:30 on Wednesday night, Chaem Vuthy, a 38-year-old construction worker, broke into the victim’s home in the same Takhmao town village where he lived, and sexually assaulted the woman, Kandal penal police Major Bun Rith said yesterday.

“He forcibly raped her while she was alone in her bed; she suffers from fatigue and malaise from the HIV medication she takes,” Rith said. “After the rape, the victim was shouting for help . . . He ran from the victim’s house, and hid inside a nearby pagoda . . . He was arrested yesterday morning, after the victim reported the crime to police.”

Police brought Vuthy to the provincial police headquarters for questioning, Rith said. He is still detained there, and is expected to be sent to provincial court today.

Vuthy stands accused of rape with aggravating circumstances, Rith said. If convicted, he could be sentenced to up to 15 years in prison.

Vuthy could not be reached for comment yesterday.