The case of a disgruntled garment worker accused of brutally torturing and murdering his former boss hours after being fired was heard at the Phnom Penh Municipal Court yesterday.

Soy Sophea, 21, allegedly enlisted his cousin Soy Huong, 23, and friend Yim Vantha, 38, in a plot to exact revenge on 44-year-old Chinese businesswoman Li Zhang, presiding judge Top Chhunheng said.

Zhang was home alone in Por Sen Chey district’s Choam Chao commune when Huong knocked on her door about 6pm pretending to be looking for a job, the court heard.

After allowing Huong inside, Zhang was set upon by the trio, who shocked her with an electric cattle prod and stabbed her in the stomach with scissors before cutting her throat.

The group also allegedly stole Zhang’s laptop, motorbike and bag containing $20.

Huong testified that Sophea, who is yet to be caught, wanted revenge after being among seven workers dismissed without compensation by Zhang from her handicraft shop in Trapaing Thloeng village on May 2.

With Vantha also on the run, only Huong appeared in court, having been caught while trying to pawn the stolen laptop.

He blamed the others for the murder, saying he had only covered the victim’s mouth to muffle her screams. A verdict is due on December 25.