Mohammed Siddique, 60, and his son, Mohammed Waqar, 23, offered an 11th-hour change of plea ahead of a scheduled trial in the Birmingham Crown Court.
The mosque teachers admitted to striking the youth with a stick during religious teachings.
The now 11-year-old boy had been slapped and beaten on the leg with a stick, apparently because he was unable to adequately read the Koran. He reportedly suffered several bruises, and also sustained a black eye.
The religious leaders pleaded guilty to a charge of cruelty to a child under the age of 16.
The victim was abused on four separate occasions between May and June, 2014, according to court records.
The father and son were arrested shortly after the incidents were reported to police, but had maintained their innocence until the change of plea.
Judge Mark Wall QC afforded the men bail, pending completion of presentence reports, ahead of a Sept. 7 sentencing hearing.
From the judge:
“The fact I am granting you bail and the fact I am asking for reports should not be taken by you as an indication of what the likely sentence will be.
“The conduct of each of you was serious and the judge who passes sentence will have all options open to him or her.”
Part of their condition of bond involves no contact with the victim, and the men are not allowed to teach Islam or even enter the mosque.
