An Australian man in Cambodia has been arrested and charged for allegedly locking up his girlfriend, her younger sister and her niece.



James Bernard King, 69, was arrested on 28 December in the coastal town of Sihanoukville, Cambodian police said in a media statement.

It’s alleged he refused to let the women leave the house.

The Phnom Penh Post reported that King allegedly confined his partner You Kea, 38, her sister You Chang Reth, 27, niece Touch Ratana, 22, and Chang Reth’s son and daughter, aged six and two.

The women allegedly pleaded with King, who was unarmed, to let them go, but were held for hours before they were able to contact a relative, who notified the authorities, the Post reported.

“At night, King locked the doors and did not allow those people to get out,” said National Police spokesman Kirth Chantharith.

Police were called to the house on 27 December on a report of illegal confinement, according to the release.



When officers arrived, King allegedly locked the door forcing a standoff for two hours before police forced their way in, freeing the three women and two children.

Sihanoukville provincial court prosecutor Chab Sok Raksmey told the Post King was charged with illegal confinement, which carries a one to three-year prison term.

King, who is in the country on a tourist visa, is in custody ahead of the case going to court.

• Editor’s note: a version of this article was originally launched on 3 January 2018. It was corrected on 20 March 2018 to amend the charges against James Bernard King.



Update: Subsequent to publication of this article Mr King was released from detention.

