The Preah Sihanouk Provincial Court on May 14 placed a 43-year-old man in pre-trial detention for the “brutal” slaying of his pregnant wife in Prey Nop district’s Choeung Kor commune on May 10.

Provincial court spokesman Ly Chandara said on May 15 that the investigating judge had charged Yem Chenda with the murder of his wife Vun Van, 36, in the commune’s Choeung Kor village.

“He is awaiting trial for murder with aggravating circumstances under Article 202 of the Criminal Code,” he said.

If found guilty, Chenda faces between 15 and 30 years in prison.

District police chief Ong Vuthy said on May 15 that the husband – a charcoal worker – attacked his wife with a stick at their home and savagely beat her, causing her to miscarry that night after she was admitted to Prey Nop referral hospital and she died from her injuries the next day.

The suspect fled the scene but was apprehended on May 12 while hiding in Rokar Thom commune of neighbouring Kampong Speu province’s Chbar Mon town.

“The suspect was sent to Prey Nop district police station and he confessed to police that he had killed his wife because he was drunk and filled with jealous rage,” he said.

Choeung Kor commune police chef Hok Brem said the aggravating circumstances charge was due to the fact that the husband hit his wife in the head with a blunt object while she was seven months pregnant. The couple have six other children, including two daughters.