[A] KENDAL man who attacked a convicted sex offender in the town has been given a suspended jail term.
Martin Denis Buchanan, 37, admitted he “took the law into his own hands” and was “unable to control his own emotions” after a chance meeting with Carlton Taylor at a retail park pet shop on August 22 last year.
Buchanan, who had read about Mr Taylor’s sex offending in a newspaper article, initially shouted at him in the store. Outside, when Mr Taylor aimed a kick at him, Buchanan threw multiple blows although only one was said to have landed.
Carlisle Crown Court heard Mr Taylor suffered a broken nose and bruising, and was left “nervous” and “on edge”. Mr Taylor thought he was targeted because of his previous sexual offending.
Buchanan, of Greengate Lane, Kendal, admitted an actual bodily harm assault. After hearing the heavily-convicted defendant was making efforts to mend his ways, Judge James Adkin suspended a six-month jail term for 18 months.
He must complete rehabilitation, a course to prevent offending and a four-month night-time curfew. Buchanan was also banned from contacting Mr Taylor for life.
