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 yesterday.

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 forehead requiring stitches.

Prosecutor Duncan Ritchie said the complainant faced allegations which resulted in charges and a trial was due this year. He said the defendant was the father of the girl against whom 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 sentenced the man to 18 months jail suspended for two years and 180 hours community work. He passed a five-year restraining order, adding “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.”