Baseball bat vigilante is spared jail

'Knife-wielding' sex offender ends up in hospital after sickening comments

- MIKE MCQUAID

A MAN has been spared jail for a baseball bat attack on a "knifewielding" drunk who had made vile sexual comments to children.

William McPheat, 41, took the law into his own hands at a takeaway after hearing about Paul McLaughlin's vile behaviour.

McPheat admitted assaulting McLaughlin, 41, to his severe injury and permanent disfigurement on February 22 this year in Caldercruix, near Airdrie.

The town's sheriff court heard four children aged 12 and a 14-year-old were standing outside the takeaway at 7pm, as McLaughlin staggered about, under the influence.