Father arrested after boy, 11, was 'beaten with broom and hanger' at Hong Kong public housing estate
Police are investigating after a father allegedly beat his son, 11, with a broom and a hanger at a public housing estate in Kowloon Bay.
Officers were called to Choi Ying Estate at about 10.45pm last night by the boy’s mother.
“Initial investigation showed the boy was beaten with a broom and a hanger,” a police spokesman said. Police arrested his 39-year-old father on suspicion of child cruelty.
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The boy suffered minor leg injuries and was taken to United Christian Hospital in Kwun Tong for treatment. Detectives from Sau Mau Ping are investigating.
Under the Offences Against the Person Ordinance, anyone wilfully assaulting, ill-treating or neglecting a child under the age of 16 under their care in a manner likely to cause the child injury is guilty of an offence.
If convicted, the maximum penalty is 10 years’ jail.
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Figures from the Social Welfare Department show that there were 186 newly reported cases of child abuse in the first three months of this year. About 51 per cent of the 186 cases involved physical abuse.