Police in Pursat province arrested 22-year-old Phat Virak on Sunday morning over the alleged rape of a 20-year-old woman, according to Dep Mao, criminal police chief in Krakor district, where the assault took place.

Mao said the victim had been leading her cows to drink at a well in Anlong Tnort commune when the suspect asked to borrow her bucket to take water to his home.

It was when she approached his house to retrieve the bucket that she alleges he raped her in a thicket of cashew trees.

According to Mao, Virak insisted the sex was consensual, explaining away the blood on her clothes saying it had been her first time to have sex.

Mao said 30 minutes after the assault the victim ran to her parents, who filed a complaint with the district police the same day.

Khun Ri, a police officer with Krakor District Police, said Virak had offered to marry the victim following the alleged rape, an offer both she and her parents refused.

The suspect is currently being held at Krakor district police station.