A WREXHAM man who carried out a vigilante attack after watching a livestream by 'paedophile hunters' has been sentenced.

Matthew Hoare, of Alexandra Road, appeared at Wrexham Magistrates Court on Tuesday.

The 32-year-old admitted that on April 2, he damaged numerous items of property to a value unknown - including throwing a brick through a window.

Justin Espie, prosecuting, told the court that at around 2.40am, police received numerous reports of a man causing damage at an address in Wrexham.

When officers arrived, they found the first floor front room window had been smashed, plant pots had been destroyed and the front door had been cracked, seemingly due to being kicked.

Witnesses provided video footage to the police, showing Hoare shouting as he caused the damage.

He was found a short while later and arrested.

Mr Espie said the defendant's behaviour caused "a lot of distress."

Laura MacMillan, defending, told the court her client "accepts the offence," and has an "issue with alcohol."

She explained: "The offence was committed under the influence of alcohol - he saw something he didn't like on the internet.

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"It was a live stream by 'paedophile hunters' at the address - and he decided to act on it.

"He is due to start work with an agency and is keen to work with probation to address his alcohol misuse."

District Judge Ibram Hussain told the defendant: "You attended the address, drunk, and caused damage in a number of ways.

"This was a sustained incident. In my judgement, it was a vigilante attack.

The Leader:

"It is not for you, Mr Hoare, to police our communities. But you took it upon yourself to cause this."

The Judge handed down a 12 month community order with a six-month alcohol treatment requirement, 10 days of rehabilitation activity and 80 hours of unpaid work.

He must also pay £85 costs and £300 compensation, as well as £114 victim surcharge.