An alleged child rapist in Battambang prwas charged by the provincial court yesterday with raping a minor after police linked him to the assault of a 6-year-old girl.

Chhun Leav, 29, is being detained at the provincial jail while awaiting trial for the rape of a 6-year-old from Boeung Thom village who was found strangled unconscious and badly bruised.

According to the suspect’s account to police, the victim was the daughter of an acquaintance.

After his arrest on Sunday, the suspect confessed to officials that he had raped another 9-year-old girl in January from the same village in Bavel district, according to Seng Lux, deputy chief of the Serious Crimes Office in Battambang province.

The suspect was allegedly arrested after the January attack, but no charges were levelled in that case despite Leay’s attempting to flee into the jungle near the Thai border.

A trial date has not yet been announced.