Aust man held in Cambodia over sex demand

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

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

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

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

Sihanoukville Provincial Court Prosecutor Chab Sok Raksmey has told the Phnom Penh Post that King was charged with illegal confinement, which carries a one- to three-year prison term.

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