A school teacher and her accomplice on Tuesday were slapped with a six months jail sentence for stealing ink used to mark the index finger of voters in polling booths, during the national election held on Sunday.

The Phnom Penh Municipal Court sentenced Chea Sotheary, 54, who was also assigned as a deputy chief of a polling station in Preah Vihear, and her male partner in crime, Tes Ratana, 45, also the alleged “mastermind” of the bizarre crime.

“Chea Sotheary was given six months prison, with a suspended sentence. She was accused of theft according to Articles 353 and 356 of the Criminal Code.

“Ten Ratana was also given a six-month suspended sentence and was considered the mastermind of the crime,” Y Rin, municipal court spokesperson, told The Post Wednesday.

He said the crime took place at polling station 1401 in Trapaing Krasaing primary school in Trapaing Krasaing village, Sangkat Trapaing Krasaing, Por Sen Chey district.

The court allowed Sotheary and Ratana to return home.

According to Article 356, an offender for theft could be punished to between six months and three years in prison and face a fine of between one million and six million riel ($250-$1,500).