A local official in Kratie province was charged this week at the provincial court with allegedly beating his wife and daughter, police said yesterday.

Hun Sophan, director of the provincial minor crimes bureau, said that 42-year-old Khlot Thot, a clerk at the Koh Chreng commune office, was charged on Tuesday by the court’s prosecutor with beating his wife and daugh-ter with a club during an argument.

“His wife and daughter were only slightly injured, but his wife refused to compromise so the authorities did their task and we filed the incident in a report,” he said.

He added that Thot has been detained at the provincial prison.

Say Kim Hort, Chet Beri district police chief, said the incident occurred on Sunday when Thot’s wife, 32-year-old Theam Theara, pulled out a knife during an argument.

He said Thot attempted to use the club in self defence, “accidentally” hitting his wife in the waist and striking his daughter when she tried to intervene.

“Their family was well-off, but they were always having arguments,” he said.