Police in Kandal yesterday said they had arrested a 14-year-old boy for raping a 10-year-old girl, with the boy allegedly confessing he had sex with the girl but denying he had forced her.

Kien Svay district police chief Par Sam Ith said yesterday that the suspect was arrested on Wednesday and transferred to the Kandal provincial police station after questioning.

“The boy has to confront the law since he is 14 years old today. We do not care whether they agreed with each other, we must follow the complaint only,” Sam Ith said, explaining that the victim’s family had filed a complaint.

Veng Kosal, Koki commune police chief, identified the suspect as a sixth-grade student and the victim as a third-grade student. He said the incident took place after the boy saw the victim walking near his house.

The boy asked the girl to bring him a broom, and when she did, he grabbed and raped her, Kosal added.

Yong Phanit, a lawyer not involved in the case, said that while the 14-year-old could be charged, he would likely be sent back to his parents as there are no detention centres for young suspects.