A butcher bringing his meat to market in Phnom Penh nearly lost his motorbike yesterday only to have it returned thanks to vigilante villagers.

The absent-minded meat peddler left his keys in his parked moto as he prepared to set up shop for the day.

An opportunistic thief hopped on the unattended vehicle, but only made it 20 metres before the butcher saw and called for help.

Happy to oblige, bystanders beat down the burglar, returned the bike, and handed him over to police.

NOKORWAT