Drunk downs battery acid
2003-02-12 10:34
Phnom Penh - A Cambodian man is in a hospital after drinking battery acid given to him by his wife, reported the Khmer language newspaper Koh Santipheap on Wednesday.
Hong Bunrith invited five friends to his home in Battambang province, 300 kilometres northwest of Phnom Penh, on February 8. After polishing off the household wine stock, he commanded his wife Leang Kimleap to go buy more, said the newspaper.
When she said they had no money, he told her he would force her to borrow some to buy more alcohol.
"I told him there is no more wine to drink, there's only acid water. If you want to drink acid water, I'll give it to you," Kimleap told the newspaper.
The husband reportedly replied that he could drink any kind of water and if she did not give it to him, he would kick her until she died. His wife then fetched acid from a nearby battery and presented him with a full glass.
Bunrith sustained burns to his mouth, face and chest when he attempted to down the liquid. Kimleap then threw the half empty glass at him, it was reported.
The wife was said to be in police custody and will face charges. She told police her husband gambled and drank every day with his friends, beat her and destroyed their property. - Sapa-DP
- SAPA