A 21-year-old man suspected to be under the heavy influence of drugs is accused of killing a 10-year-old boy on March 8 at Trapeang Chrey village, in Kong Pisei district’s Prey Vihear commune. The victim is also from the same place.

Kampong Speu provincial police deputy crime chief Som Sak said the suspect, known only as Chert, had been sent to the Kampong Speu Provincial Court.

Kong Pisei district police chief Khem Sophanra identified the victim as San Liheang.

He said the suspect and victim’s house were located within 100m of each other.

According to Liheang’s grandparents, they have only one daughter who is the victim’s mother.

Sophanra said after having lunch together, the victim’s parents went off to sleep, but the grandparents decided to sleep outside the house with Liheang as it was hot.

At 10:30pm the suspect came to the house and attacked the sleeping child with a knife. Upon seeing this, the grandmother fled to seek help.

The grandfather said all he could do was scream for help, as he could not get up due to an illness, at which point the suspect slit Liheang’s throat.

Chert then attempted to escape but people in the commune caught him and he was handed over to the Prey Vihear commune police station.

“The suspect tested positive for drugs after a urine test. The family rushed Liheang to a hospital as they thought he was still alive, but the hospital confirmed that the boy had died at the scene,” he said.