A 22-year-old man was arrested yesterday in relation to the murder of a 12-year-old boy who was nearly decapitated in Tbong Khmum province on Monday.

The body of Vy Sokha was found by his mother, Long Sokhun, 46, about 35 metres away from his family’s home in Memot district’s Kum Spean village.

The boy had been left alone at home at the time of the murder while his mother was away farming.

“The dead body was lying facedown near a bamboo bush,” said Memot district police deputy chief Long Thavrin. “His head was slashed from behind and almost cut off from the body.”

Thavrin said a blood-stained scythe was found about four metres from the body.

Memot district police officer Chan Dul said suspect Eng Sinuon, also from Kum Spean, had stolen a motorbike from the family and ridden it to his aunt’s place in Ponhea Krek district.

Police became suspicious and questioned him upon his return to Kum Spean in a taxi.

“He admitted that he killed the boy because he was furious with the boy’s mother who insulted him. And he also wanted the motorbike as well,” Dul said.

Tbong Khmum provincial police chief Mao Pov said Sinuon was yet to be charged yesterday but would be sent to the provincial police station today. The stolen motorbike was found and returned to the family.