A man who repeatedly beat his two children when they failed to bring home sufficient money was arrested on Monday by Siem Reap provincial police and charged with intentional violence.

Vin Krouch had been on the run since December 24 after learning that neighbours and an NGO had notified the police about the brutal beatings routinely meted out to his 17- and 13-year-old sons.

Siem Reap provincial prosecutor Ty Soveinthal said the father regularly resorted to “very cruel violence”.

Krouch forced his two sons to beg for money in Angkor Thom to fund an alcohol addition.

The boys were forced to earn $50 a day, and were beaten by belts and sticks if they did not.

“He is very cruel,” Kokchak commune police chief Chhoum Samban said.

“He beat his sons, forced them to beg from tourists and took the money to buy wine.”

Both boys were found covered in scars from the frequent whippings with sticks and belts.

The elder son had to be treated at a hospital after the police intervention.

Neighbours told the police at the time of the notification they had known of the abuse for years, but were scared of retribution by the father — whose wife died five years ago following prolonged domestic abuse.

The boys have been reman-ded to the care of Friends International.