A 'VIGILANTE' father burst into the home of a man accused of offences against his young daughter and beat him up, Bradford Crown Court heard today.

The 32-year-old Bradford man, who cannot be named for legal reasons, took the law into his own hands and attacked his victim as he watched TV with his wife, punching him repeatedly to the head and face.

The complainant was taken to Bradford Royal Infirmary for treatment for concussion, bruising, swelling and a cut to his forehead requiring stitches.

Prosecutor Duncan Ritchie said the complainant faced allegations which had resulted in charges and a trial was due to take place this year.

He said the defendant was the father of the girl against which the offences were said to have been committed.

Mr Ritchie added: “It appears to have been a vigilante attack.”

The man pleaded guilty to causing actual bodily harm. His solicitor advocate, Philip Ainge, said his client caused further distress to his family when he should have been supporting them.

Judge Jonathan Rose, who read a letter from the defendant’s mother, sentenced the man to 18 months' imprisonment suspended for two years, with 180 hours' unpaid community work and a low-level activity requirement to address his offending. He also passed a restraining order for five years, preventing the man contacting the complainant or entering the court building, unless as a witness or defendant.

Judge Rose told him: “Those who engage in vigilante violence like this, particularly in the home of the complainant, have to receive prison sentences.”

He said the proper thing to do was contact the police.

“None of this was necessary. Either the police were already involved, or could have been involved had you told them.”

He added: “Your family needs you. Go back to work and get home to look after your family in an intelligent way.”