A traditional healer accused of raping a 13-year-old girl was yesterday convicted of the lesser charge of having sex with a minor. Chin Ramo, 24, was sentenced in Phnom Penh Municipal Court to five years in prison and ordered to pay the victim 10 million riel ($2,500) after Judge Kim Rath Narin reduced the charge.

Lim Chan Lida, who represented the victim in court, argued that the court should have convicted Ramo of rape, for which he would have served up to 10 years. Chan Lida had also demanded $10,000 on behalf of her client.

She was unsure if her client would appeal the decision.