A thoughtless vigilante targeted a child rapist's house and start smashing the windows - not realising he was at the wrong address.
Robert Lawson vandalised the home of a 'terrified' pensioner named Madge in Acklam, Middlesborough after turning up at the wrong property.
The thug was then chased from the house by a furious mob who pursued him through a wooded area before knocking him to the ground, according to Teesside Live.
Prosecutor Paul Doney told Teesside Magistrates Court "As this was going on he was shouting 'he's a rapist, he deserves it'."
The 49-year-old benefits claimant was blasted by a judge as he narrowly dodged a prison sentence.
"It shows utter incompetence in not being able to find the right address," said District Judge Helen Cousins.
The court heard how neighbours heard banging and smashing late at night before spotting Lawson with a "big plank" of wood.
He could be heard claiming that "it was a paedophile" who lived there.
However it wasn't and the chase unfolded, before he was detained and Cleveland Police were called.
It was only then did Lawson realise his massive error.
The defendant had been told of the apparent sex offender's address, but mitigating, his solicitor Danielle Hewitt admitted: "The defendant basically attacked the wrong house.
"On the night in question he was intoxicated and he was upset.
"Unfortunately it was the wrong house and the poor lady inside suffered the terror of having her windows smashed."
When he was searched in Hillel Walk, Acklam, police discovered a Stanley knife on the man, which he claims he'd "absentmindedly" forgot about following a spot of decorating.
His brief claimed he'd been attacked earlier that day and hadn't used, adding: "He tries to justify that he had no knowledge of it and that it was not used in the earlier incident."
She claimed he was remorseful, adding: "He didn't intend to cause that elderly lady distress."
The defendant, of Meath Street, Ayresome, admitted criminal damage and possessing a bladed article.
Suspending his 16 week sentence for 18 months, the district judge also imposed an eight week curfew on Lawson - who must also pay £150 compensation for the smashed window from his benefits.
And addressing the blade, she added: "I do wonder if it had been the right address, what would have happened."
