A 32-year-old Kandal man has been charged with murder for allegedly killing his mother and injuring his father over a dispute related to a motorbike.

Mean Samnang, Ang Snuol district police chief, said suspect Sim Chim tried to borrow his father’s motorbike on Saturday before his parents stopped him. In response, he allegedly attacked his father, Sim Tim, with a stick, beating him over the head to the point where he had to be hospitalised.

The mother, Ret Ol, ran to her village chief for intervention, but was stopped by her son on the way. He allegedly hacked her with a machete four times in the neck and head. She later died in the district hospital.

“He was furious with the parents, who did not allow him to drive their motorbike,” Samnang said.

According to the National Police website, after attacking the parents the suspect allegedly confronted a couple in the same village with a machete. They managed to escape without injury, though he stole their motorbike, which he drove as far as Phnom Kravanh district in Pursat province, where he was arrested on Monday.

The website also reported that the son had previously been jailed three times in Kandal for theft, for stealing a police officer’s gun and for domestic violence.

Sou Sarin, Kandal Provincial Court spokesman, confirmed Chim was charged in on Tuesday.