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Kiln owner accused of abusing employee

Sok Kear, a 28-year-old domestic worker, shows marks on her back allegedly put there by her employers
Sok Kear, a 28-year-old domestic worker, shows marks on her back allegedly put there by her employers. PHOTO SUPPLIED

Kiln owner accused of abusing employee

An employer who stands accused of beating her maid using a stick and the back of a meat cleaver will be summonsed by police in Kandal today for questioning, local officials have said.

Son Leanghou, 57, a brick kiln owner, is accused of beating 28-year-old Sok Kear, one of the staff working in her household, on Saturday.

Kear immediately filed a complaint with local police.

Leanghou will be summonsed for questioning today by police in Muk Kampoul district’s Prek Anhchanh commune, commune police chief Som Saphal said.

“I have already arranged a document related to the case, and I will file the case and send it to court. Tomorrow, I will call her in for questioning,” he said.

In her complaint, Sok Kear requested 500,000 riel ($125) in compensation for the back and arm injuries she suffered.

Police tried to find Leanghou at her home yesterday but were told she was at her husband’s family home in a different commune, he said, adding that the accused had to be questioned about the facts before a report could be made.

Although both the accused and the alleged victim would be called in for questioning as part of a potential criminal case, the authorities would push for a compromise if one of them requested it, Saphal said.

Sok Kear was originally hired as a household cook and cleaner on a salary of 250,000 riel per month.

She was allegedly taken into a room and beaten by an enraged Leanghou after she refused to carry out work at a different location.

Leanghou was already summonsed once by commune police on August 17, but did not show up.

Leanghou could not be reached for comment.

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