LAHAD DATU: A man was arrested by police for allegedly hitting his 13-year-old daughter with a timing belt in Kampung Sharip here.

The case came to light following a police report lodged by the suspect's ex-wife, who received pictures of injuries sustained by her daughter, sent by the victim via WhatsApp.

District police chief Superintendent Jimmy Panyau said the victim's mother reported that her daughter had bruises on her back and right leg after being allegedly beaten while helping her father repair a vehicle.

"The suspect was arrested at 12.10pm by a team from the Criminal Investigation Division," he said in a statement today.

He added that the case is being investigated under Section 324 of the Penal Code for voluntarily causing hurt with dangerous weapons or means.