The Banteay Meanchey Provincial Court yesterday ordered Luos Samorn, 67, placed in pre-trial detention over the alleged torture of his 9-year-old nephew, according to Mam Chan Vannak, the investigative judge assigned to the case.

The victim’s parents had left him with Samorn while they sought work in Thailand, and it was during this time the abuse is alleged to have taken place.

Prom Theng, chief of the justice department of Banteay Meanchey military police, said Samorn doled out beatings and worse for perceived infractions – from coming home late to failing to properly heed instruction.

“For example, when the child was washing the dishes, if [the uncle] was angry, he scratched his face with a wire brush . . . Sometimes he cut the child’s hand and left a scar on him,” said Theng, adding that the victim has bruises on his back and under his eyes, as well as a broken right arm.

According to Theng, the victim is being treated in hospital and will stay at the provincial military compound until his parents return.