Two men in aged their 20s from Ha’ano have been charged with assault in relation to the alleged beating of a 12-year-old boy with a piece of timber and a machete on 29 August in Ha’ano, Ha’apai.

Chief Inspector ‘Okusitino Peleki of the Ha’apai Police district said today the two accused were arrested and charged last week.

They face three assault charges each relating to the alleged beatings at different areas. The accused have been released awaiting the next circuit of the Magistrate's Court to Ha'apai since they have no Magistrate, he said.

The incident was reported to have have occurred on the afternoon of Saturday, 29 August.

One of the suspects had first allegedly beaten-up the boy spanking him on the buttocks with a piece of timber, outside a church hall in Ha’ano village.

The child from Muitoa was again allegedly hit on the buttocks with a piece of timber before being forced to a nearby bush area, was laid down and whipped him again on the buttocks using not only the timber but a machete, police reported.