An altercation at a Christmas market in Stralsund, Germany, left a four-year-old boy injured on Monday evening when a man dressed as Santa Claus struck him with a switch after the child allegedly stuck his tongue out at him.

A four-year-old boy was injured at a Christmas market in Stralsund, Germany, on Monday evening after an altercation with a 62-year-old man dressed as Santa Claus.

The incident occurred in the northeastern state of Mecklenburg–Western Pomerania while the boy was visiting the market with his family. According to reports, the child allegedly stuck his tongue out at the man, who responded by striking him across the face with a switch.

The boy sustained injuries from the act, prompting a complaint of grievous bodily harm to be filed against the man. German police confirmed the complaint and stated that the man described his actions as an "educational measure."