Neighbour admits murder, denies rape of girl, 14

Neighbour admits murder, denies rape of girl, 14

Sorn Humpiang, 45, (seated), is shown by police at a media  briefing after being arrested for the  murder and rape of a 14-year-old girl in Phitsanulok's Nakhon Thai district on Wednesday. (Photo by Chinnawat Singha)
Sorn Humpiang, 45, (seated), is shown by police at a media briefing after being arrested for the murder and rape of a 14-year-old girl in Phitsanulok's Nakhon Thai district on Wednesday. (Photo by Chinnawat Singha)

PHITSANULOK - A 45-year-old man arrested for allegedly strangling and then raping a 14-year-old girl at her home has admitted to the murder, but denied raping her, police said.

Sorn Humpiang was arrested on Wednesday night at a corn plantation about 3 km away from the victim's home in Nakhon Thai district following a hunt by police and local residents. 

The victim, a student at Nakhon Thai School, was strangled with a rope at her house in tambon Bo Pho on Tuesday. Her pants were also removed.

Police suspected the girl, home alone at the time, was killed by her neighbour. Mr Sorn, as residents spotted him walking near the victim's house the day she was killed. They searched for and found him.

During interrogation, the suspect confessed he drank two bottles of alcohol before going to the girl’s house to borrow a battery charger for his mobile phone on Tuesday. The girl was alone and was wearing pants that he thought made her look sexy. He began flirting with her, but the girl became upset and they quarrelled.

He told police that he walked out of the house, found a rope and then strangled her in a fit of anger. He then took off the girl’s pants intending to rape her but changed his mind as he feared someone might see him. So he instead stole some valuables from the house before fleeing. 

Pol Maj Gen Adisak Noiprasert, chief of Phitsanulok police, said police were not convinced and had evidence to substantiate the charges against him. A medical examination confirmed the girl had been raped.

Investigators have pressed four counts against the suspect. The charges are murdering and raping a girl aged below 15, intruding into the victim’s house to attack her, and theft.

Mr Sorn was held in police custody for legal action. An angry crowd prevented police taking him back to the scene for a crime re-enactment.

Do you like the content of this article?
COMMENT (3)