Phnom Penh Municipal Court yesterday sentenced a former security guard at Ek Kareach Market to five years in jail and a fine of 2 million riels (about US$500) for the rape of a 14-year old girl in Phnom Penh.

Prak Ratanak, 21, was arrested on July 23 at a guesthouse near Canadia Park in Dangkor district after complaints from the victim’s family that he had sex with the victim, who he claimed was his girlfriend, said Presiding Judge Ker Sakhorn.

“According to the confession of the suspect, the victim’s testimony and evidence, we have found that Prak Ratanak had sex with the victim, who is under 14 years old,” Ker Sakhorn said, adding that he has 30 days to appeal the sentence.

Prak Ratanak denied the charges, saying that the victim was his girlfriend and they had loved each other for about 8 months.

“She is my girlfriend and lover and we had sex so many times already, before I was accused and arrested,” he told the court.

“So to find justice for myself as well as my lover, I will appeal to the Appeal Court.”