A former TV hostess savagely beaten by property mogul Sok Bun after intervening to stop his unwanted advances on her friend appeared in court yesterday as it emerged the friend has now filed a rape complaint against the tycoon for a previous alleged assault.

In a closed two-hour hearing at Phnom Penh Municipal Court, former CTN hostess Ek Socheata, better known as Ms Sasa, answered questions for investigative judge Leang Samnath about the July 2 attack.

Samnath declined to go into details about the hearing; however, Socheata’s lawyer Put Theavy said the day’s questions revolved around her connection with Bun, her Japanese friend and the circumstances of the night.

Speaking after the hearing, Socheata said she was invited by her friend as a chaperone because her friend feared being plied with alcohol and raped after being pressured into dinner by Bun.

The fear, Theavy alleged, was founded in “multiple” incidences of sexual assault by the suspect in the past.

Colonel Sok Ly, a police officer at the Ministry of Interior’s Penal Police Department, yesterday confirmed Socheata’s Japanese friend had filed a complaint of rape to police against Bun.

“This case has not been sent to court yet, it is still with our police for further investigation,” he said.

On Thursday, an arrest warrant was issued for Bun, who reportedly fled to Singapore on June 8, after footage of the attack began circulating online.

Speaking yesterday, Bun’s lawyer, Yin Sophy, said he had read media reports of the rape complaint against his client, but had yet to receive anything official.

He said Bun had left Singapore for Paris to continue treatment for mental health issues but would return to Cambodia on Monday in time to appear at Phnom Penh Municipal Court for his initial summons date of July 21.

Although, formally the subject of an arrest warrant, he can be seized by police upon entering the country.

Now suffering hearing problems in her left ear due to the attack, Socheata yesterday told reporters:

“To find the truth and justice in this case, I request the court to strongly punish him by laws and bringing to justice.”