Police have this evening arrested a 26-year-old man in relation to an assault at Riverslea Mall in Edgecumbe earlier this week.
Shortly before 5pm on Tuesday, Police received a report of an assault near the toilets at the mall.
A boy in his mid-teens, who was with another group of boys, had been subject to a prolonged and violent assault which left him with serious injuries.
He was taken to hospital for treatment, and has since been discharged and is expected to make a full recovery.
A 26-year-old man has been taken into custody and charged with wounding with intent.
The man is due to appear in the Whakatane District Court on Tuesday, 14 June.