Wassa-Akropong (W/R), June 6, GNA - A 35 year-old palm-wine taper at Wassa-Akropong was arrested by the Police on Friday, for causing bodily harm to his son for allegedly stealing cooked rice belonging to a neighbour.

Emmanuel Otoo was said to have locked up his eight-year-old son in a room, held his right hand firmly into a coal-pot of fire for several minutes while he threatened him with a knife not to shout. His hand was badly burnt and when he was freed, the little boy cried uncontrollably attracting many people who reported the incident to the police and the boy rushed to the Wassa-Akropong hospital where he is receiving treatment.

Otoo has been granted bail while the Police continue investigations at Wassa-Akropong.

Madam Gladys Mensah, a middle-aged woman who had been caring for the two children of Otoo told the Ghana News Agency his action was his own way to reform the children, Kwame and Yaw.

"They have become wayward as the result of neglect by both parents, Otoo and Awonye Yohunor who were separated six years ago".

Narrating his ordeal to Madam Mensah, the boy (Kwame) said they went to farm with their father and after working for several hours he and his elder brother became hungry and weak. He said that when he found the cooked rice, worth one thousand cedis wrapped in a polythene bag belonging to another farmer he ate it.