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A child rapist was punched and stamped on in the street by his victim’s dad, who told him “that’s what becomes of paedophiles”.

The furious father attacked the teenager because he had abused his seven-year-old son, a court heard.

During a chance meeting in the street, the dad knocked the youth to the ground and stamped on him as he screamed for help.

Newcastle Crown Court heard the dad, who cannot be named for legal reasons, was heard saying “you don’t rape my kid” and “that’s what becomes of paedophiles”.

The youth, who also cannot be named, is currently awaiting sentence for causing a child to engage in sexual activity and rape.

Now, the seven-year-old’s dad has been spared prison for assaulting the teenager in South Tyneside.

A judge said the 30-year-old’s behaviour was “explicable but not excusable” and warned lawlessness and anarchy could result from people taking the law into their own hands.

Judge Tim Gittins said: “He was a young man who you knew had abused your seven-year-old son.

“I think it would be difficult for any parent not to understand the sort of emotions that would generate.

“Therefore, what you did is explicable but not excusable.

“You need, as others do, to realise that such perpetrators of abuse need to be dealt with by the courts, not by wanton violence in the streets.

“The fact is, this particular time in your young son’s life is when he needs you most.

“You are not going to help him if you engage in this sort of behaviour again and end up in custody.”

Prosecutor Sarah Mallett told the court the attack happened in the street after the dad approached the youth.

Miss Mallett said: “The defendant punched him in the face then hit him again with the same hand, which knocked him to the floor.

“The victim described it hurt and he was scared. He pulled his bag over his head to try and protect himself.

“The defendant stamped on his arms and hands. He screamed for help.”

The court heard the teenager suffered cuts, bruises and swelling.

When the dad, who works full time and has no previous convictions for violence, was arrested he told police he was “upset” about what had happened to his son.

He was sentenced to eight months prison, suspended for two years, with supervision, programme requirements, £500 costs and an indefinite restraining order to stay away from his child’s attacker.

Vic Laffey, defending, said there has been no further incidents in the months since the attack at the beginning of the year.

Mr Laffey added: “He and his son have a very close relationship.

“He appreciates he has placed himself in a situation where he could damage that significantly by losing his liberty.

“The circumstances are so extraordinary, he acted in a manner extremely regrettable but, in one sense, perhaps, understandable or explainable at least.

“He could lose his liberty when his young son needs him more than ever.”