Cambodia News (Kampong Chhnang): On 12 January 2022, the Homicide Investigation Team (HIT) and the Scientific Technical Team of the Child Protection Unit (CPU) attended the courtroom of Kampong Chhnang Provincial Court to hear the verdict on 39-year-old Non Chan Sareth, who was found guilty of the murder of his wife and four children, aged 9, twins aged 7, and a 3 year old infant, on May 9, 2021 .

In announcing the verdict, Judge Y Thavorak said, "These crimes are full of deliberate cruelty and brutality and must carry the maximum penalty." The perpetrator was therefore sentenced to a full life imprisonment, which under the laws of the Kingdom of Cambodia means a life sentence in prison with no chance of pardon or release.

APPEAL

Cambodia News, (Phnom Penh): On May 23, 2023, a man convicted of the murder of his family appeared before the Phnom Penh Municipal Court of Appeal.
Non Chan Sareth, a 34-year-old male farmer, was found guilty of killing his four young children and his pregnant wife by the Kampong Chhnang Provincial Court, who sentenced him to life imprisonment in January 2022.


During the trial, it was alleged that on May 9, 2021, at around 8 pm, at their house in Baribo District, Kampong Chhnang Province, the defendent had a violent argument with his pregnant wife and stabbed her to death with a pair of scissors; he then smothered the sleeping children and set the house on fire to cover up the evidence, causing the victims to die tragically. He was arrested and taken into custody on May 12, 2021.

Non Chan Sareth continues to deny the charges against him. He said he did not kill his wife and children or set fire to their house as alleged, but claims that they died in a house fire which was caused by burning clothes and mattresses that night.
The defendent says he is not guilty and has asked the Phnom Penh Municipal Court of Appeal to release him unconditionally.