Phnom Penh Rapist Sentenced to Eight Years

A man was sentenced to eight years in prison for raping and robbing a 21-year-old karaoke bar hostess in Phnom Penh’s Russey Keo district last year, according to a Phnom Penh Municipal Court official yesterday.

Cheang Tharo, 33, had been a laborer in Thailand before returning to Cambodia some time last year. He was found guilty of theft with aggravating circumstances, rape and illegal weapon use under articles 353, 357 and 239 of the Penal Code as well as article 20 of the Law on the Management of Weapons, Explosives and Ammunition, Presiding Judge Yin Saroeun said.

He added that Mr. Tharo was arrested on December 16 when his victim filed a complaint with police after Mr. Tharo raped her before stealing her money, jewelry and iPhone in Prek Tasek commune.

“The court decided to sentence him to eight years in prison. It has ordered him to pay 8 million riel [about $2,000] to the victim,” Mr. Saroeun said.

Deputy Prosecutor Kham Sophary said that on the night of December 12, Mr. Tharo and a group of his friends were drinking at the victim’s karaoke bar in Russey district when Mr. Tharo asked if his victim would accompany him to a nearby guesthouse to have sex. After consenting, she agreed to ride with Mr. Tharo on his motorbike to Prek Tasek commune, but en route, Mr. Tharo stopped the bike near a bridge and pulled a gun on the woman.

“He ordered the victim to take off her trousers and underwear. He pushed her over the motorbike and raped her,” Mr. Sophary said.

“After the rape, he pointed the [pistol] at her and ordered her to give him money, jewelry and any phones she had. After collecting her property, he escaped on his motorbike.”

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